Report: Clean Diesel NOx Levels Exceed European, US Standards

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Is clean diesel the cleanest diesel in the tub? Not as previously hoped, according to a new report.

According to Green Car Reports, the International Council on Clean Transportation says most clean-diesel vehicles actually emit higher levels of nitrous oxide than what both the Euro 6 and U.S. Tier 2, Bin 5 standards allow. In particular, the amount of NOx produced by said vehicles exceeds the limits set by the Euro 6 standard seven times over.

The cause? “Transient increases in engine load typical of everyday driving (e.g., going up a slight incline),” as well as “normal regeneration events in the normal diesel exhaust aftertreatment systems.”

The ICCT report — published last October — follows calls from environmental groups like Transport & Environment to bring test-cycle results in line with real-world driving conditions, such as the European Union’s plan to cast aside the New European Drive Cycle for the Worldwide Harmonized Light-Vehicle Test Procedures.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

More by Cameron Aubernon

Comments
Join the conversation
9 of 17 comments
  • Doctorv8 Doctorv8 on Apr 13, 2015

    "diesel vehicles actually emit higher levels of nitrous oxide" Great info.....I suppose dentists and drag racers will be collecting diesel fumes now.

    • See 1 previous
    • Hogie roll Hogie roll on Apr 13, 2015

      @Pch101 In the biz we refer to them as oxides of nitrogen. The x denotes that it can be different numbers.

  • Kyree Kyree on Apr 13, 2015

    I would be interested in learning which vehicles do this, or if it's mostly all of them.

  • 1998redwagon 1998redwagon on Apr 13, 2015

    to my eye the title is also misleading. 'exceed ..... standards'. to me that means they are better than the standard. consider, oils that meet or exceed oem standard. if you want to indicate that the engines do not meet standards you have a few choices e.g. fail, fail to meet, do not meet, in excess of, etc. granted it requires more words but the titles to these info-articles do not seem to be word limited. carry on.

    • See 2 previous
    • Lou_BC Lou_BC on Apr 16, 2015

      @Pch101 - that is mostly true if one is looking for tumour markers but like most tests there needs to be an acceptable high and low limit or normal range.

  • MBella MBella on Apr 14, 2015

    The one thing I have noticed running a "Bluetec" Mercedes in the shop is that it starts bothering people very quickly. If someone runs a gasoline engine in the shop, nobody even notices. If an old "dirty" diesel is run the the shop, it's just like running a kerosene space heater. I am expecting that at some point soon they will realize that although this new emissions technology helps with the emissions that are measured, there are other pollutants in the exhaust stream that cause issues.

Next