August 2003 - Nr. 8
Automaker announces emissions breakthrough
TWIG - German automaker BMW announced Thursday that it has developed new emissions control technology for diesel engines, eliminating nearly all soot emissions without effecting performance or fuel economy, the AFP news agency reported.
BMW plans to offer the breakthrough filter technology beginning next year, said a company spokesperson.
The announcement comes days after German Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin urged automakers to lower soot emissions from diesel cars by 90%.
Germany’s Federal Environmental Agency has proposed tightening the current standard for particulate exhaust emissions by 2005.
According to a study carried out by the agency, the soot particles emitted by modern diesel engines are more dangerous, since they are smaller in size.
Some 14,000 people die every year in Germany as a result of inhaling particles from diesel exhaust fumes, said the agency. Installing filters to block the particles only costs €200 - €400 per vehicle.
