Particulate filters to become mandatory from 2009 in the EU

The EU have passed a bill that makes the use of Particulate filters mandatory on new diesel cars from 2009. Exististing diesel cars will have to be retrofitted with particulate filters before January 2011.
Particulate matter have been found to cause Lung cancer, asthma and cardiovascular problems which can all result in premature death. It is aproximated that particulate matter kills somewhere between 20.000 and 50.000 people each year, in the US alone.
Particulate filters can remove as much as 99% of the particulate matter emmited by a diesel car.
Only 10% of all particulate matter comes from cars.

chewy - 12/15/2006 8:20:27 PM

+1 Boost

Retrofit, excellent idea. In America you are free to drive old cars that pollute a lot, but new diesels that are much cleaner are not allowed. The EPA are a bunch of hypocrites.

chewy - 12/16/2006 9:48:18 PM

+1 Boost

Gasoline engines don't need them. They use catalytic converters. Just saying that unlike here where you can easily drive an old vehicle that spews out tons of smoke and pollutants, the Europeans have made it mandatory for older diesels to become clean as well. Great move on their part.