TerraClean welcomes government vehicle emissions investigation

TerraClean has become the first aftermarket firm, perhaps even the first company to publically welcome the UK government’s plans to invest vehicle emissions in light of the VW scandal.

In a statement issued by Martin Dowd, managing director Randstad Ltd and Phillip Dowd sales director, the company welcomed the Transport Select Committee’s investigation and pointed out that it had been lobbying for stricter testing for some time:

“As a leading driver in the reduction of harmful emissions, TerraClean has lobbied for some time in favour of more stringent diesel vehicle emissions testing at MOT level. This would involve a five-gas analyser test for emissions over the current opacity test, which is inadequate. The five-gas analyser test, over and above the 4 gas test currently used on petrol vehicles, looks for the presence of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), the gas currently in question. If this had been implemented from 2009 – the year Euro 5 emissions came into force – the current issues may have been highlighted earlier.

The business also commented on the potential effects of a VW recall: “While vehicle recalls are likely in the current situation, it is our belief that a ‘software update’ will have far reaching consequences, because more stringent emissions control could lead to a negative effect on engine performance and also result in excessive carbon build-up and the vehicle becoming less fuel efficient. As a result, a thorough investigation is therefore required before the recall is carried out.

“A recall will also highlight vehicles that have a modified emissions control system – brought about through the illegal removal of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems for example.”