Lower CO2 values.

Banning diesel engines would be disadvantageous in terms of climate policy

Fact 4.

With regard to the emission of pollutants, there are hardly any arguments against our new generation of diesel engines in comparison with other conventional drive systems.

With regard to the emission of pollutants, there are hardly any arguments against our new generation of diesel engines in comparison with other conventional drive systems.

And although our gasoline engines are becoming increasingly efficient, the diesel still has a lower consumption and lower CO₂ emissions than a comparable gasoline engine.

According to the Association of the German Automotive Industry (VDA), a modern diesel engine consumes up to 25% less fuel and emits up to 15% less CO₂ than a comparable gasoline engine. The latest diesel engines therefore achieve both: high efficiency and low NOx values in normal operation.

Naturally, the diesel must not only withstand a comparison with the gasoline engine, but also with the electric powertrain. One thing is clear: in the future we will increasingly drive electrically and Ambition 2039 pays due regard to this. However, it is also clear that the energy transformation in the automotive sector is a joint task. We should use all the means at our disposal to bring it about – which includes not only battery-electric powertrains or the fuel cell, but also highly efficient combustion engines and plug-in hybrids. Estimates indicate that roughly one in four new cars in 2025 will have an electric powertrain, which means that further development of conventional powertrains remains important.