ACEA

Is the diesel of today a 'clean' fuel?

Both gasoline and diesel fuels have been made much cleaner over the past years, with sulphur levels lowered to 50ppm in 2005 and 10ppm by 2009 across the EU. Moreover, European car manufacturers are world-leaders in clean diesel technologies. Since 1993, they have reduced NOx and particulate mass emissions from diesel cars by more than 68% and 81% respectively.

Particulate mass emissions

From September 2009 onwards, particulate mass emissions from new cars sold in the EU will be so low that further progress is beyond the limit of detection of the measurement methods. Coupled with the application of a new particle number standard for all new cars from 2011, all new diesel cars will have tailpipe emissions so clean that you will hardly notice any mark on a clean white handkerchief placed over the tailpipe.

Since 2005, European truck manufacturers have been introducing Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology, an exhaust aftertreatment system that reduces NOx emissions. SCR requires the injection of an additive (commonly known as ‘AdBlue’) to effect the catalytic reduction of NOx and reduction efficiencies of 80-85% are achievable.

SCR technology

SCR technology is also being applied to passenger cars in order to help meet the Euro 6 standards that will be mandatory from 2014. European manufacturers are also about to start selling diesel cars (again) on a large scale in the United States. Strict limitation of NOx emissions has for long kept diesel passenger cars out of the USA market.

• Diesel market highly developed in Europe
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