What will COP26 mean for vehicle emissions?

The EU historically saw diesel vehicles as a good way to lower CO2 emissions. This is because diesel vehicles often provide better mileage than equivalent petrol vehicles. As such, it was thought that diesel vehicles offered lower CO2 emissions and better fuel economy than their petrol counterparts. In response, governments created tax regimes that favoured diesel cars and the diesel car market accelerated. However, since the Dieselgate scandal, this market has declined and momentum has shifted towards EVs. But is it happening fast enough?   

As it stands, there is likely to be a gradual phasing out of cars powered by conventional fuels with a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel-engine cars in the UK from 2030. In addition, many UK cities have plans to restrict or ban diesel vehicles from entering. Yet COP26 is bringing this issue further into focus, with calls on world leaders for much faster transport decarbonisation and accelerated zero emissions commitments. 

Of course, reduced air pollution limits are vital if we want to address the looming climate disaster and improve human health, but it doesn’t matter how stringent the legal limits are if manufacturers choose to ignore them. So, in addition to setting more stringent legal emissions standards, to truly make a difference, regulatory fines, awards of damages and costs of settlements must make the cost of cheating unviable.  By holding manufacturers to account, Keller Lenkner UK aims to help stop further emissions test cheating in the future and to force manufacturers to meet their responsibilities to consumers and the environment.