This websites use cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. For more details about cookies and how to manage them, see our cookie policy.

DfT Study Provides New Validation for Air Quality Consultants’ Emissions Sensitivity Test

28-04-2016

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published (on 21 April 2016) the results of its new Vehicle Emissions Testing Programme

  The principal focus of the study has been to identify whether the use of ‘defeat devices’, as highlighted by the Volkswagen (VW) emissions scandal, is widespread in the UK.  The DfT found no evidence of any such devices being used by manufacturers other than the VW group. 

The DfT study also provides a new set of measurements of real-world emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from Euro 5 and Euro 6 diesel cars.  The study covered 19 cars in each Euro class, with the cars selected to be representative of those currently on the road in the UK.  The tests showed that real-world emissions are well above the levels set in the emission standards:  Euro 5 emissions were 3 to 10 times the standard and Euro 6 emissions were 2 to 12 times the standard.  On average, both classes of vehicle were found to emit just over 6 times their respective standards.  

The new DfT results validate the findings of the recent review of real-world emissions from diesel cars by Air Quality Consultants (review available here).  The Air Quality Consultants review compiled the results of real-world emissions tests covering more than 170 Euro 6 diesel cars and several thousand Euro 5 diesel cars.  The findings from the DfT study fall within the range of those included in the Air Quality Consultants review and provide further support for its findings.

 Air Quality Consultants used the results of its emissions review, which included heavy duty diesel vehicles, to propose a sensitivity test to be applied when modelling nitrogen dioxide alongside roads.  The latest DfT data further justify the use of this sensitivity test, together with the purpose-built CURED calculator for emissions from road vehicles (available here) that is used to apply the sensitivity test. 



© Air Quality Consultants 2024