Fallout of VW's cheating means longer approval for 2017 diesel cars

EPA scrutiny bogs down new diesels

The thread title pretty much sums up the article. Jag and BMW are the only makers that have 2017 models approved under the longer testing at the moment.

Posters where I heard this are angry with the EPA, one even calling out the EPA for not shutting down coal plants if they are so concerned about pollution.

 

Does Chevy have an actual minivan any more?
The 2017 Cruze is getting a diesel, and the redesigned Equinox for 2018, I think, will have the same engine as an option. Sounds like the Cruze and 2017 Colorado diesels will be delayed, but Chevy is still making the 2016.

Good idea, maybe start applying PM limits to all cars. An issue for this, and with certifying new diesels, is likely the lack of resources within the EPA for this.

 

Who says they aren't.

Before VW's cheating was caught, the EPA tested just 10% of the car models for sale in the given year in an effort to keep the car companies honest. Now they have added extra work in certifying new diesels. Most of the companies are ok with this. Fewer diesels than hybrids sell, fuel prices are low, but diesel is higher in same areas, and those that really want one will wait. MB seems to be the only one saying this is making them cancel some diesel models.

 

As I understand it, the manufacturers test the vehicles for emissions and fuel economy themselves, and submits the results to the EPA to be certified. In addition to that, the EPA selects a set of cars (the 10%) to test in addition to what the manufacturer already did as a check for cheating.

The cars selected for this is semi-random; some are selected for being a new model, and/or high efficiency like a hybrid. Normally, these cars are tested the same way as what the manufacturer did without extra tests. Because of VW's cheating, the EPA has selected all 2017 diesel(except maybe the 2500+ class trucks), and is doing testing in addition to the required tests.