Tech breakthrough could SAVE diesel as Continental cuts emissions by 60 per cent with new super fuel
A BREAKTHROUGH by Continental could give diesel a future by slashing emissions and boosting fuel economy.
Tests of the new Super Clean Electrified Diesel tech have revealed it's capable of reducing real-world emissions by two-thirds.
It could turn the tide for the toxic fuel which has taken a beating over the last few months.
Volvo announced it would move away from diesels by 2019 and France plans to introduce a ban on sales by 2040.
The UK is also targeting diesel to clean up city air with a string of toxic taxes, road pricing measures and even a potential diesel scrappage scheme.
But speaking to , engineers at tech and tyre firm Continental revealed dangerous nitrogen oxides (NOx) can be slashed through its revolutionary electrified after-treatment.
An electrically-heated element brings the catalytic converter up to temperature much quicker than standard cars helping to shift NOx more efficiently.
While some systems already use electricity in this way, Continental has quadrupled the voltage to hike temperatures even faster.
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The system is currently fitted to a converted VW Golf with tests under the EU's Real Driving Emissions cycle revealing a 60 per cent drop in NOx levels, a three per cent fall in CO2 and four per cent increase in mpg.
The company is already in talks with manufacturers about bringing it to mass market.
Johannes Drechsel, development engineer at Continental, said: "Diesel cars will continue to play a role, but they have to be clean in the future.
"This kind of technology will help to ensure diesel has a future."
SHOULD YOU BUY A DIESEL?
There are pros and cons to both petrol, diesel and electric cars. So here's a checklist you should consider when buying your next car:
- Do think about the kind of driving you do. Diesels, even older models, are fine if you don’t drive in high-pollution areas.
- Do consider an electric or hybrid if you have a two-car family fleet. Your second car can be a diesel. You may find your EV’s smoothness makes it your first choice.
- Do spread the word that better times are imminent for diesels, brought by stringent standards and a better testing process.
- Don't get the idea that criticism of diesel cars is all wrong. There are at least seven levels of car diesel ‘cleanliness’. Only recent versions can truthfully be termed clean.
- Don't abandon making your next car a modern diesel, though. Diesel sales are helping to deliver vital targets for lowering CO2 and reducing global warning.
- Don't accept assertions that steps already taken to cut toxic emissions and CO2 have not worked. There are figures to show they have. But there’s much more to do.