Backlash against diesel-powered vehicles
Order ID 53563633773 Type Essay Writer Level Masters Style APA Sources/References 4 Perfect Number of Pages to Order 5-10 Pages Description/Paper Instructions
Backlash against diesel-powered vehicles
Backlash against diesel-powered vehicles could spell an end to long love affair with the fuel in Europe
VW’s problems could have wide repercussions for car companies
By Jason Chow
Updated Sept. 22, 2015 5:10 p.m. ET
PARIS—The U.S. emissions scandal engulfing Volkswagen AG has put European rivals on the offensive, as they scramble to show their own diesel engines meet standards in Europe.
A growing backlash against diesel-powered vehicles could spell an end to the long love affair with the fuel in Europe, the region where diesel is most widely adopted and developed.
“Does this signal the end of diesel? Yes, it probably does,” said Max Warburton, an auto analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein.
Car makers woo customers with promises of speed, acceleration and braking distance. Less appealing is the increasingly important element that helps them deliver that performance: software. Robert Wall explains how car software can be used to rig a test. Photo: AP
On Tuesday, the French government and British transport officials called for a European probe into car makers and diesel emissions, after the accusations that Volkswagen cheated on U.S. emissions tests. French Environment Minister Ségolène Royal said her ministry is also launching an investigation.
France’s Comité des Constructeurs Français d’Automobiles, the country’s car-manufacturing association, quickly supported the call for a European inquest so it could “confirm that the French makers respect the approval procedures with vigor in all the countries it operates in.”
For European car companies, a lot is at stake from any retreat from diesel. Europe’s auto makers have plowed billions of euros into developing so-called clean diesel technology—fuel-sipping cars fitted with updated emissions systems to reduce the amount of particulate matter and nitrous oxide discharged in the air—which are increasingly popular among drivers in Europe who like the cost savings offered by filling up on cheaper fuel.
French auto makers Renault SA and PSA Peugeot Citroën are reliant on diesel car sales—they make up about half of their total new car sales—though neither sell in the U.S. Both companies said that they are in compliance with the laws and regulations of the markets they serve.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV said it also abides by the rules. The Italian-American auto maker sold about the same number of diesel and gasoline cars in Italy in 2014. In the U.S., sales of diesel-powered vehicles are negligible.
Still, their shares were pummeled in Tuesday trading, with Renault falling 7.1% to €66.55 a share and Peugeot sliding 8.8% to €13.86, highlighting investor concern that the emissions scandal could have repercussions beyond Volkswagen. FCA shares declined 6.2% in Milan trading to €11.93.
After more than two decades of European governments and car manufacturers touting diesel engines as a clean alternative, tighter regulation and testing standards could definitively turn the tide, industry experts say.
Europe’s latest emissions tests will be subject to ‘real world’ tests. Photo: Patrick Pleul/European Pressphoto Agency
Meanwhile in the U.S., car makers continue the push to popularize diesel. General Motors Co. said Tuesday that it currently offers bigger diesel engines in large pickup trucks, such as heavy-duty GMC Sierras, but sees an opportunity to use diesel engines built in Europe in smaller products.
GM’s Chevrolet Cruze, a smaller car competing with Volkswagen’s Jetta and Ford Motor Co. ’s Focus in the U.S., can be bought with an optional “clean turbo diesel” engine. The company’s midsize trucks—the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon—will soon be fitted with new diesels. A spokesman said the company is in discussion with U.S. environmental regulators and conforms to their rules.
Though diesel cars remain a curiosity in the U.S., they are mainstream in Europe with cheap fuel as the major selling point—diesel is between 10% to 20% cheaper at the pump in major markets such as France, Italy and Germany as it is taxed significantly less than gasoline.
In 2014, diesel motors powered two of every five passenger cars on the road in Europe. Diesel cars also made up 53% of all new car sales in the region in 2014.
The growth of diesel in Europe began in the early 1990s, when car makers started to heavily promote it as a clean, cheaper alternative to gasoline.
At the time, diesel cars made up just 10% of Europe’s total fleet and were dogged by a reputation for poor acceleration, loud chugging engines and difficulties starting in cold weather. However, a series of innovations closed the performance gap between them and gasoline-powered cars, and consumers became increasingly drawn to them, especially when oil prices soared in the 2000s.
European governments also applauded diesel engines because they were more fuel-efficient compared with gasoline-powered cars, and less burned fuel meant fewer carbon-dioxide emissions. Policy makers handed out incentives, sometimes in the form of cash bonuses back to consumers, for diesel-powered cars.
But the love for diesel has begun to wane in recent years. Diesel-powered cars are blamed for worsening air quality in Europe’s biggest cities because of their emissions in nitrous oxide and particulate matter. In France, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo earlier this year spurred controversy by calling for an outright ban on diesel within the borders of the capital.
Car companies are also facing stricter emissions standards and testing regimes, which could close the competitive advantage of diesel over gasoline. Europe’s latest emissions standards, known as Euro 6, will be subject to “real world” tests—as opposed to testing performed in controlled laboratory conditions.
A spokeswoman for the European Automobile Manufacturing Association said the organization is asking for clarification on new testing standards based on everyday driving conditions so its members can enforce them accordingly on their cars.
Stuart Pearson, an analyst at Exane BNP Paribas, said many car makers will face much higher costs if their models are to comply with the new standards.
“Volkswagen’s U.S. headache is only the latest setback for diesel,” he said. “Popular, and hence political, opinion is leaning away from diesel, and compliance costs rising.”
Analysts say a drop in diesel-powered cars would be matched by an increase in the use of gasoline, hybrid and electric cars, though that would be a sharp challenge for European firms.
Jos Dings, director at Transport & Environment, a Belgium-based think tank, says the Volkswagen scandal will spur increasing scrutiny and a harsher look at what was once seen as Europe’s favored fuel.
“The U.S. is calling out a European technology,” said Mr. Dings. “The industry here has many reasons to be ashamed, and so do European regulators.”
End
RUBRIC
QUALITY OF RESPONSE NO RESPONSE POOR / UNSATISFACTORY SATISFACTORY GOOD EXCELLENT Content (worth a maximum of 50% of the total points) Zero points: Student failed to submit the final paper. 20 points out of 50: The essay illustrates poor understanding of the relevant material by failing to address or incorrectly addressing the relevant content; failing to identify or inaccurately explaining/defining key concepts/ideas; ignoring or incorrectly explaining key points/claims and the reasoning behind them; and/or incorrectly or inappropriately using terminology; and elements of the response are lacking. 30 points out of 50: The essay illustrates a rudimentary understanding of the relevant material by mentioning but not full explaining the relevant content; identifying some of the key concepts/ideas though failing to fully or accurately explain many of them; using terminology, though sometimes inaccurately or inappropriately; and/or incorporating some key claims/points but failing to explain the reasoning behind them or doing so inaccurately. Elements of the required response may also be lacking. 40 points out of 50: The essay illustrates solid understanding of the relevant material by correctly addressing most of the relevant content; identifying and explaining most of the key concepts/ideas; using correct terminology; explaining the reasoning behind most of the key points/claims; and/or where necessary or useful, substantiating some points with accurate examples. The answer is complete. 50 points: The essay illustrates exemplary understanding of the relevant material by thoroughly and correctly addressing the relevant content; identifying and explaining all of the key concepts/ideas; using correct terminology explaining the reasoning behind key points/claims and substantiating, as necessary/useful, points with several accurate and illuminating examples. No aspects of the required answer are missing. Use of Sources (worth a maximum of 20% of the total points). Zero points: Student failed to include citations and/or references. Or the student failed to submit a final paper. 5 out 20 points: Sources are seldom cited to support statements and/or format of citations are not recognizable as APA 6th Edition format. There are major errors in the formation of the references and citations. And/or there is a major reliance on highly questionable. The Student fails to provide an adequate synthesis of research collected for the paper. 10 out 20 points: References to scholarly sources are occasionally given; many statements seem unsubstantiated. Frequent errors in APA 6th Edition format, leaving the reader confused about the source of the information. There are significant errors of the formation in the references and citations. And/or there is a significant use of highly questionable sources. 15 out 20 points: Credible Scholarly sources are used effectively support claims and are, for the most part, clear and fairly represented. APA 6th Edition is used with only a few minor errors. There are minor errors in reference and/or citations. And/or there is some use of questionable sources. 20 points: Credible scholarly sources are used to give compelling evidence to support claims and are clearly and fairly represented. APA 6th Edition format is used accurately and consistently. The student uses above the maximum required references in the development of the assignment. Grammar (worth maximum of 20% of total points) Zero points: Student failed to submit the final paper. 5 points out of 20: The paper does not communicate ideas/points clearly due to inappropriate use of terminology and vague language; thoughts and sentences are disjointed or incomprehensible; organization lacking; and/or numerous grammatical, spelling/punctuation errors 10 points out 20: The paper is often unclear and difficult to follow due to some inappropriate terminology and/or vague language; ideas may be fragmented, wandering and/or repetitive; poor organization; and/or some grammatical, spelling, punctuation errors 15 points out of 20: The paper is mostly clear as a result of appropriate use of terminology and minimal vagueness; no tangents and no repetition; fairly good organization; almost perfect grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word usage. 20 points: The paper is clear, concise, and a pleasure to read as a result of appropriate and precise use of terminology; total coherence of thoughts and presentation and logical organization; and the essay is error free. Structure of the Paper (worth 10% of total points) Zero points: Student failed to submit the final paper. 3 points out of 10: Student needs to develop better formatting skills. The paper omits significant structural elements required for and APA 6th edition paper. Formatting of the paper has major flaws. The paper does not conform to APA 6th edition requirements whatsoever. 5 points out of 10: Appearance of final paper demonstrates the student’s limited ability to format the paper. There are significant errors in formatting and/or the total omission of major components of an APA 6th edition paper. They can include the omission of the cover page, abstract, and page numbers. Additionally the page has major formatting issues with spacing or paragraph formation. Font size might not conform to size requirements. The student also significantly writes too large or too short of and paper 7 points out of 10: Research paper presents an above-average use of formatting skills. The paper has slight errors within the paper. This can include small errors or omissions with the cover page, abstract, page number, and headers. There could be also slight formatting issues with the document spacing or the font Additionally the paper might slightly exceed or undershoot the specific number of required written pages for the assignment. 10 points: Student provides a high-caliber, formatted paper. This includes an APA 6th edition cover page, abstract, page number, headers and is double spaced in 12’ Times Roman Font. Additionally, the paper conforms to the specific number of required written pages and neither goes over or under the specified length of the paper. GET THIS PROJECT NOW BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK TO PLACE THE ORDER
CLICK ON THE LINK HERE: https://www.perfectacademic.com/orders/ordernow
Also, you can place the order at www.collegepaper.us/orders/ordernow / www.phdwriters.us/orders/ordernow
Do You Have Any Other Essay/Assignment/Class Project/Homework Related to this? Click Here Now [CLICK ME]and Have It Done by Our PhD Qualified Writers!!