Is There A Future For Diesel?

With a proposed diesel ban affecting the UK car industry, there are many positives and negatives that could come from the arrangement. The ban follows suit from other European countries who are banning diesel-powered vehicles in a bid to lower emissions and help to lessen the damage to the environment. The fact that the government are committed to making the UK greener is undeniably a good thing. A ban on diesel can also help to fuel the development of green energy solutions that rival diesel.

However, in the UK, 96% of commercial vehicles use diesel. Furthermore, research conducted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders found that reducing the services from the diesel-powered commercial cars would negatively impact the quality of life. After all, over 17,000 ambulances run on diesel as well as many buses, bin lorries and logistic vehicles.

Due to the proposed ban, sales of new diesel cars are falling, and car manufacturers are reducing their workforce because of the decline in diesel. However, Bosch may have come up with an innovative technology that can give diesel vehicles a future that is greener.

Bosch diesel technology
Bosch has created a new technology that can reduce the emissions of nitrogen oxide in real driving conditions. The technology uses active thermal management to keep the exhaust gas recirculation unit at an optimum temperature. This means that in urban environments you can achieve a nitrogen oxide emission as low as 13mg per km. This is substantial when the current limit is 168mg per km.

Furthermore, as the technology has been tested in real driving conditions, this further adds to its impressive capability.
In 2020, the next-generation limit for diesel vehicles comes into force. This limit is 120mg per km. If new diesel vehicles were to install the Bosch technology, then diesel vehicles could meet the future emission targets and ensure commercial vehicles remain viable for the long-term.

The only downside to this technology is the fact that it cannot be fitted retrospectively to vehicles. However, it may be able to help to future diesel vehicle market. Considering many of the world’s largest car manufacturers use supplies from Bosch, their new diesel technology may have profound effects on the future of the car industry world over.