While diesel cars aren’t particularly prevalent in the U.S., they’re prized for their fuel efficiency in Europe. But even though they sip fuel, they also produce far larger quantities of soot and nitrogen oxides compared to gasoline-powered engines. In fact, they’re a major contributor to the declining air quality around the globe that kills over three million people each year.
European officials have taken a strong stance against cars that use the fuel. The latest move came today, as the European parliament voted to introduce new regulations that will allow it to fine car manufacturers more than $30,000 per vehicle if they’re found to have been cheating on emissions tests.
Aggressive policy measures like these will also help accelerate adoption of hybrids and electric vehicles, because there’s nothing like facing large levies to spur an upgrade. In fact, regulatory-driven approaches to encouraging electric vehicle use are expected to drive adoption far fasterthan by simply relying on consumer choice.
Off the back of the European parliament’s vote, the European Union’s industry commissioner said that she expects diesel cars to “disappear much faster than we can imagine.” It looks like she might be right.
Leave a Reply