Is this really the end of Diesel

With France sounding the death knell, Ralitsa Peycheva looks at whether this is really the end for Diesel engines

The Euro 6 entered into force in September 2014 and hit the European automotive market – particularly diesel-oriented – stronger than most. According to the new regulations, the level of nitrogen oxides (NOx) pollutants and fine particulate matter should be significantly reduced, which requires all new vehicles sold in EU member states to follow most stringent rules on tailpipe emission. It is worth mentioning that diesel particulate filters and other after-treatment systems have been required in the U.S. since 2008. The final goal of Euro 6 is to make diesel cars as clean as gasoline ones. If a new vehicle doesn’t comply with the emission limits, it won’t be registered and sold.

Many countries such as France saw Euro 6 as an opportunity to cut down on old diesel vehicles, with around 70% of cars on French roads using diesel and most of them not meeting the current diesel emission restrictions. In order to limit city access for the dirtiest cars, theFrench government are launching a car identification system that will rank vehicles by the amount of pollution they emit this year. The government will also raise the TICPE excise tax on diesel by 2 euro cents per litre which won’t make diesel the “cheaper option”. By doing so the state hopes to push citizens towards more ecological choices.