Recent government consultation regarding emissions

[DWW]

The proposal is to clamp down on emissions which if confirmed will kill the second hand car market and the classic car ownership as all will be included with no exceptions. Ends September 6th.

[1954Etype]

I think its only for cars fitted with emission equipment (cats etc). Won't apply to our cars.

[Gfhug]

There’s a very comprehensive explanation by the FBHVC saying this doesn’t have any meaning for our historic cars and that it is a clarification of a matter iirc more likely to bother older diesel cars that have had software tweaked (illegally).

Geoff

[DWW]

Looks like this only applies for cars made after 2001.

[mgcjag]

It's the slippery slope to clean air and electrification....so starting with cars from 2001....thats a lot of replicas etc and an awfull lot of "modern" classics...and the general second hand market....thats just a start......once this goes through what's stopping them comming after any ICE car.......it will happen....Steve

[Gfhug]

The Federation of British Historic Vehicles Clubs (FBHVC) is reassuring historic vehicle owners that they should not have anything to fear from a consultation, which closes on 6 September, into proposed legal changes regarding the enforcement of emission standards.

This note follows widely-published reports that incorrectly state the proposal will affect 1980s, 1990s and 2000s cars. This is not the case.

The consultation aims to close a legal loophole for Euro 5 cars (the emission standard that became compulsory for all new cars registered after 1 January 2011), that was inadvertently created at the time.

The Department for Transport’s (DfT) consultation explains: “The proposals aim to ensure that road vehicles continue to meet the same legal emissions requirements that applied when they were built and first registered for use on the roads.”

When Euro emissions standards initially came into effect in the UK from 2000 onwards, the UK Government enforced compliance via Regulation 61A of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (C&U Regs).

As Euro standards advanced from Euro 1 through to Euro 4, the C&U regs were appropriately amended.

The consultation reveals that this updating has not been the case for Euro 5 onwards.

Euro 5 (and the current Euro 6 to which this also applies) generally requires the fitment of more devices (catalysts, diesel particulate filters, exhaust gas recirculation equipment and AdBlue selective catalyst reduction systems).

These systems can be expensive to maintain and replace and there is, says the DfT, growing evidence of their manipulation or complete removal. This means the vehicle is no longer in its ‘as built’ state, therefore increasing pollution and sometimes noise. The proposed changes will make this illegal.

The consultation explains that: "Modifications that we would always consider illegal, because of their known and proven effect upon legal limits of emissions, would include:
• removal or ‘deletion’ of diesel particulate filters (DPF) in diesel vehicles or gasoline particulate filters (GPF) in petrol vehicles
• removal of 3-way catalysts (TWC), commonly known as catalytic converters, often accompanied by alteration or removal of sensors and sometimes engine control unit (ECU) remapping
• manipulation of the selective catalyst reduction (SCR) systems and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in diesel vehicles through a process often referred to as ‘AdBlue Delete’
• manipulation of the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system in diesel vehicles, whether physical (such as obstructing the gas tubing or disconnecting the valves and rewiring to a device which mimics their operation) or remapping the electronic control unit (ECU)

The consultation adds: “Some modifications of emissions systems can be associated with other modifications considered unlawful, such as those made to achieve exhaust noise above legal limits, often referred to as ‘pop and bang’.”

In a move to allay concerns, the consultation says: “We are not seeking to prohibit all vehicle modifications. Our view is that vehicle alteration is a legitimate practice that has been embraced by car tuners, repairers and enthusiasts worldwide.

“Additionally, we are not seeking to stop owners or businesses from installing parts that are generic rather than manufacturer-specific original equipment manufacturer (OEM).”

In terms of ‘future classic’ status for Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicles (and indeed Euro 7), it does not prevent their eventual move to historic status nor will the proposed changes have any retrospective effect, save in respect of the tightening up of offences for breach of the regulations which will apply to all post-1 Jan 2001 vehicles.

Says FBHVC Legislation Director Lindsay Irvine: “I am sure that some will be concerned about the situation when these vehicles move closer to being ‘historic vehicles’ under the rolling provisions and any restrictions on modifications.

“However as a matter of principle, our ability to enjoy our freedoms and exemptions largely relies on our vehicles remaining compliant with their original build standards, and not having to be modified to meet later standards.

“We do not have any sensible argument as to why current generations of more complex vehicles should be allowed to deviate from their build standards.”

[Simon P]

Thank you Geoffrey

So can I still give it the beans or not?

[Gfhug]

So can I still give it the beans or not?

You may continue to drive in your usual sedate manner