The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) has called for a reasonable timeline in which to apply real driving emissions (RDE) measures. The request has followed a meeting between the European Commission's regulatory committee, which proposed some of the new elements considered to be essential in the legislation for RDE. As a whole, the automobile industry believes that emissions more closely reflecting real-world conditions are necessary.æ However, it is currently stressing the need for a timeline as well as testing conditions that take into account both the technical and economic realities of driving in the real world. Erik Jonnaert, ACEA secretary general, said: 'We are fully aligned with the need to better measure the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from diesel cars and vans under normal driving conditions,î 'However, it is important to proceed in a way which allows manufacturers to plan and implement the necessary changes, without jeopardising the role of diesel as one of the key pillars for fulfilling future CO2 targets.î The ADEA has already said that it will support a robust but realistic RDE package, if it will address the key environmental issues using a two-step approach as has been agreed by the member states. Without realistic timeframes and conditions, though, it has warned that some diesel models in particular could become unaffordable, meaning that manufacturers would have to withdraw them from sale. The repercussions for the consumer sector could be substantial as a result.æ Commercial vehicles _ which are usually diesel as standard _ could also be negatively affected. 'Our industry is committed to contributing constructively to the efforts of the Commission and member states to upgrade emissions testing,î
