The Great Hoax: Study Reveals 97% Of Diesels Are Failing To Meet EU Standards

My understanding is that existing laws pertain only to the levels of emissions during an in-lab-only emissions test, while stipulating that a "cheat device" (as defined by law) must not be used during that test. So it's perfectly legal to emit 40x more than lab-legal gasses during real-word operation.

Furthermore, my understanding is that so far, only VW has been proven to use a cheat device (although *allegations* have been made against others, they have not yet proven to be true).

Those are the laws today. It *appears* that all manufacturers except VW adhere to those laws. If we want cleaner air outside the lab, then we need to:

(a) Make sure it is physically possible for a certain technology to meet the emissions desired targets (i.e., there's no point in saying we want gasoline powered cars to be zero-emissions, as that's physically impossible)

(b) Change the laws (and monitoring/validation methodology) to support the stated outcome (i.e., cleaner air when vehicles operate in real-world conditions, not just in the lab), and...

(c) Give manufacturers a reasonable amount of time to redesign their engines and related systems to meet the new emissions standards and monitoring/validation methodology.

Idc how they do it. People shouldn't have to worry about failing their annual emissions testing.

Re-educate consumers about the need to "warm up" your car prior to having emissions testing - for more accurate operating results.

I see I didn't fully complete my thought...

Yes, we shouldn't to worry about emission tests failures & re-tests & more fees, etc. And as these Diesel-Gate events unfold & get resolved, VW & other automakers should use this time to re-educate the consumer on general expected daily usage practices to help reduce (false) emissions failures for "good" "legal" diesel vehicle systems.

Everybody has their own legal way of meeting the emission standards. Some are well-executed while others are not.

Personally, I'm a VW diesel engine fan. It would be interesting to see what the real performance & emissions output is for many of the older TDI engines - specifically the W8 & W12. I know the smaller TDI systems are being question currently. But if those lil spitfires are cheating, then what did VW do with the larger meatier powerplants?

Oop...I meant the diesel W10 TDI engine. That was whisked away & replace by the V6 TDI b/c of new emissions standards. The W8 & W12 are gas engines.

If the vehicles have no cheat devices and pass emissions under government testing, I have no problem with them emitting more pollution in the real world.

Just as laboratory MPG ratings bear no resemblance to real world MPG, we should assume that laboratory emissions results similarly bear no resemblance to the real world.

I would also stop testing smog on cars after they get 10 years old. At that point, the owner may not be able to afford repairs or even a replacement car. Now factor in attrition...

I am sorry - but the headline of this article is simply FALSE.

Virtually all cars do meet levels of an IN_LAB test of emissions - which is the specification required by law. THat they do not do the same in real life is simply a fact of life. One only needs go back to when they first measured Fuel Economy in the USA - and the Numbers were astronomical compared to the actuality in real life. While they subsequently change the numbers that can be published - that LAB TEST still remains - and it is the result of that test on which Manufactuers base their compliance - nothing else. When the EPA tried to change the way they tested the vehicles - they LOST in court - because the judge ruled that they were essentially changing the legally approved levels - by changing the test. THe Manufacturers also stated that this would essentially be a completely new system - and would require YEARS of development to meet. THey had agreed to conform to the Lab Test standard - and that is what should apply. The lab testing was uniform and repeatable - real world testing is NEVER that way.

BTW - I would assume that ALL engines - diesel or gas - fail to meet the standards if they are appplied on the road as well. BUT - the law does not require them to do that.

Diesels are dirty, smelly engines in all its iterations.