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Transport and Environment had already made its voice heard in early October when, in its own study, it drew the world’s attention to the fact that the automotive industry had adapted well to the challenge posed by the European Commission and the Council, toughening emission requirements. It was highlighted that automakers will be able to meet the requirements as long as the furthest behind operators can increase sales of their partially or fully electric cars at the fleet level.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE STUDY ALSO Drew ATTENTION THAT THERE IS A RISK THAT THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL BE BIGGER IN THE LONG TERM, MORE RULES PERMISSIBLE AFTER 2021.
This is because automakers are able to meet their fleet-level emissions targets through increased sales of plug-in hybrid models, so they are not forced to substantially increase sales of purely electric models. This, in turn, could jeopardize the expansion of electromobility in Europe.
HOWEVER, T&E NOW MADE A MUCH HARDER AND OPEN ATTACK TO THE PLUG-IN HYBRID TECHNOLOGY A FEW WEEKS, PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED BY A NEW STUDY.
Emissions Analytics results may have reduced warranty
The ominous material, whose main finding is that plug-in hybrid models are actually far more polluting for certain uses than automakers claim, was published by Emissions Analytics a few weeks ago. The organization has tested a total of 37 plug-in hybrid models using its own independent measurement method, which examines vehicle emissions under actual driving conditions at distances greater than the NEDC / WLTP drive cycle. Emissions Analytics examined the vehicles in question on urban, rural and highway sections alike.
According to the results of the tests carried out, when each plug-in hybrid model was used with the battery discharged and operating only with internal combustion engines, the emission values specified by the manufacturers were measured several times. This, of course, also meant that, with such an operation, the vehicles did not meet the strict standards that they would have to meet. However, Emissions Analytics also pointed out that if the batteries, which normally make a few tens of kilometers possible in purely electric mode, were correctly charged, zero-emission transport would be achieved and much less CO2 would be emitted than it was. It was indicated by the manufacturers for combined consumption. In light of the above results, the organization has pointed out that there can be big differences in the launch of plug-in hybrid models depending on how their owners use them.
Presumably inspired by this material, T&E commissioned Emissions Analytics to test the three most popular plug-in hybrid SUV models of 2019, the BMW X5, Volvo XC60 and Mitsubishi Outlander. In each of the model variations in question, there is an electric motor that works in addition to the internal combustion engine, and they can power the roads with their own on-board battery to provide purely electric propulsion.
Reported Huge Discrepancies to T&E – Subsidy Withdrawal Lobby
Based on the test results, T&E reported that while plug-in hybrid model sales are increasing in Europe, their emission values are in fact well below standards on the one hand and the official values given by the manufacturers on the other. And in practice, this means that these vehicles consume more and are much more polluting than the individual players claim.
According to T&E, the three models tested emitted between 28 and 29 percent more carbon dioxide than those listed in the manufacturers’ catalog, even when the vehicle’s batteries were fully charged and used continuously during testing.
Much more surprising was the finding that in emission analysis tests, the tested vehicles produced three to eight times the specified emission values under real driving conditions when driving only with internal combustion engines. And the worst values are born when vehicles are charged on the road with the help of internal combustion engines, not from an outlet. At that time, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions was three to twelve times the factory values.
Aware of the above results, Julia Poliscanova, director of clean vehicles at T&E, has embarked on the automakers with an astonishing attitude. He claimed
Plug-in hybrids are fake electric cars that are built to fit lab test conditions for tax benefits, not actual driving.
He added that the tests they had conducted showed that under optimal conditions, even with fully charged batteries, these vehicles are far more polluting than advertised.
He also called on governments to stop subsidizing these cars, not to waste billions of euros in taxpayer money.
Poliscanova, moreover, did not stop here, she also stated that
Automakers blame buyers for the high emissions of plug-in hybrids, although the truth is that most plug-in hybrids just don’t perform well enough. These cars are equipped with weak electric motors, huge and polluting internal combustion engines, and usually don’t charge fast enough.
He added that plug-in hybrid models will only have a future if they completely redesign the test processes and specifications that apply to them. Otherwise, plug-in hybrids could also fall into the trash of history, connected to diesel technology, Poliscanova said.
Such a move would hurt automakers badly, and could easily fight back.
In relation to the above, it should be noted that plug-in hybrid models are of utmost importance for most car manufacturers, since they receive valuable credits for their sale, which are then taken into account by the authorities when determining the average CO2 emissions at the fleet level. And this, as we wrote above, means in practice that many gamers can meet the strict requirements by selling plug-in hybrid models at a higher rate.
It should also be noted that car manufacturers are in a terribly difficult situation, and state aid is vital, especially now that new car sales in Europe have fallen dramatically due to the coronavirus epidemic. Without subtracting them, they could certainly sell much less of these models in the dominant Western European car markets.
It’s also important to mention that plug-in hybrids are a major trade-off. This is because with more expensive vehicles with internal combustion engines, manufacturers can meet more stringent emissions requirements at the same time, avoiding significant fines and earning money. However, in the event that state support for plug-in hybrids is unexpectedly removed and, in the worst case, removed from model offerings, it will cause enormous damage. On the one hand, industry players have committed huge sums to research, development and application of the technology, and on the other hand, if their sales drop significantly, it will have an adverse effect on the profitability and operation of manufacturers.
This, in turn, could ultimately lead to further forced austerity measures in the sector, which could result in massive layoffs or even far fewer resources to switch to electric driving.
In light of these, it is understandable that, according to a report by Automotive News Europe, a spokesperson for Volvo and Mitsubishi immediately declared that all their vehicles fully comply with the applicable regulations and have the type approvals necessary for their commercialization. .
It should also be noted that the T&E study on plug-in hybrids was published at a very sensitive time. Last Friday, the European Commission published its proposals on green investment and its financing, which would come into force from 2021. According to them, in the future they would determine which investments are considered sustainable in the European Union. As a result, investments in the automotive industry for the production of vehicles with CO2 emissions below 50 g / km would only be considered sustainable. This would apply to passenger cars and light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. Furthermore, the regulation would be further toughened, after 2026 only zero-emission vehicles would be considered sustainable, which would also mean that plug-in hybrid cars would permanently lose their eco-rating.
All of this could cause serious difficulties for automakers, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). This is because green finance rules can make it difficult for individual players to raise funds at a time when they would be sorely needed to finance the transition to new technologies.
Cover Image Source: Fredrik Bjerknes / Bloomberg via Getty Images
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