TY - JOUR

T1 - Technological response options after the VW diesel scandal

T2 - Implications for engine CO2 emissions

AU - Andersen, Otto

AU - Upham, Paul

AU - Aall, Carlo

PY - 2018/7/4

Y1 - 2018/7/4

N2 - In the VW diesel scandal, automakers were found to be cheating with emission data, by e.g., tampering with on-board detection systems. We have calculated changes in the energy use and emissions of carbon dioxide equivalents that would arise through several options open to automakers, to ensure that the emission of nitrogen oxides is kept within the standards. Several studies show how manufacturers have also significantly underreported vehicles' actual fuel consumption. We explain our derivation of new factors for energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from diesel- and gasoline-powered passenger cars, as well as their electric hybrid varieties. The results of the analysis show that energy consumption and emissions of carbon dioxide equivalents will increase in the range of 18-21% for passenger cars with diesel and hybrid diesel engines, while for cars with gasoline and hybrid gasoline, the addition is 9-10%. The analysis highlights an environmental dilemma of current car technology, but also the path-dependent ways of thinking that have been prevalent within the automotive sector. From a sociotechnical sustainability transitions perspective, Dieselgate can be viewed as a case of "regime resistance", whereby incumbent actors seek to maintain the status quo.

AB - In the VW diesel scandal, automakers were found to be cheating with emission data, by e.g., tampering with on-board detection systems. We have calculated changes in the energy use and emissions of carbon dioxide equivalents that would arise through several options open to automakers, to ensure that the emission of nitrogen oxides is kept within the standards. Several studies show how manufacturers have also significantly underreported vehicles' actual fuel consumption. We explain our derivation of new factors for energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from diesel- and gasoline-powered passenger cars, as well as their electric hybrid varieties. The results of the analysis show that energy consumption and emissions of carbon dioxide equivalents will increase in the range of 18-21% for passenger cars with diesel and hybrid diesel engines, while for cars with gasoline and hybrid gasoline, the addition is 9-10%. The analysis highlights an environmental dilemma of current car technology, but also the path-dependent ways of thinking that have been prevalent within the automotive sector. From a sociotechnical sustainability transitions perspective, Dieselgate can be viewed as a case of "regime resistance", whereby incumbent actors seek to maintain the status quo.

KW - Climate gas emissions

KW - Dieselgate scandal

KW - Energy use

KW - NO reduction technologies

KW - Regime resistance

KW - Transport

KW - Transport policies

KW - Unintended consequences

KW - Sustainability Science

KW - Sustainability sciences, Communication

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85049482479&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3390/su10072313

DO - 10.3390/su10072313

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:85049482479

VL - 10

JO - Sustainability

JF - Sustainability

SN - 2071-1050

IS - 7

M1 - 2313

ER -