Germany will talk about a nationwide plan to cut contamination from diesel engines and established a new organization to test vehicles to attempt to restore consumer confidence after Volkswagen‘s emissions scandal, ministers stated.
The relocations – nearly two years after the Volkswagen scandal broke – come as the German government deals with growing pressure ahead of nationwide elections on September 24 to lower emissions or see some cities prohibit diesel cars themselves.
Recently, Reuters reported the transport ministry was pushing automakers to upgrade engine management software to cut pollution as much as 12 million diesel vehicles in the nation, pointing out individuals knowledgeable about the talks.
On Tuesday, the transport ministry and the environment ministry revealed the creation of a “national diesel forum” to deal with the auto industry and local governments to cut emissions, with the first conference set for August 2.
“We want emissions to fall throughout Germany,” Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated.
Dobrindt, a member of the Bavarian sister party to Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats, has come under fire for being close to the nation’s powerful car market and for refraining from doing enough to fight vehicle pollution.
Government sources informed Reuters on Monday the software upgrade might cost 1.5 billion to 2.5 billion euros ($1.7 billion to $2.8 billion), but HSBC experts stated hardware might be required that could indicate costs of as much as 10 billion euros.
