Can a diesel vehicle obtain the ECO or ZERO label?

Despite restrictions on diesel vehicles, some brands such as Audi or Mercedes already offer diesel cars with the ECO label. And more will come.

The goal of governments and supranational institutions is to advocate a medium-term energy transition. The main groups affected by this decision are combustion engines (diesel and petrol vehicles), which have 2040 as their expiry year in our country. However, some manufacturers have found ways to reduce polluting emissions with these very same engines. The mild-hybrid technology or plug-in hybrid cars (PHEV) alongside thermal engines are some of the short-term solutions.

Mild-hybrid technology grants access to the ECO label

Many brands have decided to take the step towards electrification of their ranges. Nevertheless, this decision still faces several drawbacks: reduced range , shortage of charging points, high cost, high prices… Although the great goal of the car industry is the development of non-polluting cars, advances are yet to come.

However, thermal engines still have some way to go. Some firms such as Audi or Mercedes have installed mild-hybrid technology in their diesel vehicles. This means the diesel vehicle will receive the ECO label, although there are some exceptions of Mild-Hybrid cars that have not managed to be approved, at least for now, to carry this badge. In this way, they may be used during high-pollution episodes or to enter the city centres of large cities.

Mild-hybrid Audi and Mercedes models with the ECO label

Audi has developed up to six mild-hybrid models that carry the ECO environmental badge. The first of them, in SUV format, the Audi Q8 features a 50 six-cylinder 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine. This power unit is capable of producing 286 CV and 600 Nm of torque. In addition, Audi will bring to market the 45 TDI model with 231 CV of power during the first half of 2019.

Other models are the Audi A4 and A5. These German saloons offer the possibility of fitting a diesel engine together with mild-hybrid technology in some variants. However, the Audi A4 is only available in some of its versions. The price is between 34,000 and 35,000 euros with 2.0 TDI engines producing 122 CV.

Another of the most affordable vehicles is the Audi A5, available from 41,620 euros in its Sportback and Coupé versions. The remaining vehicles, the Audi A6, A7 and A8, are priced above 64,000 euros and, in some cases, exceed 100,000 euros such as the Audi A8.

Mercedes is the other firm that has developed this technology ‘mild-hybrid’. The installation of these electric motors can already be found in the AMG range in the CLS and E-Class. The Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 is offered in its Coupé version from 70,650 euros, while the E-Class are available in their Coupé and Cabrio versions from 51,100 euros. For now there is no mild-hybrid diesel option, but Mercedes does have a zero-label diesel, as we will see later. These are plug-in hybrid models.

The exceptions and the vehicles yet to come

Audi and Mercedes have not been the only brands to develop and implement this technology in their vehicles. Hyundai and Kia are other brands that have installed small electric power units alongside diesel engines. However, the Asian firms have not managed to have their cars classified with the ECO label. These South Korean mild-hybrid models are the following:

• The Kia Sportage offers a 2.0 CRDi turbodiesel engine producing 185 CV and all-wheel drive in two different versions. The first of them will have a six-speed manual gearbox and a price from 34,340 euros. On the other hand, the second variant receives an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a price available from 36,440 euros.
• The Hyundai Tucson currently has a 2.0 CRDi engine producing 186 CV, available from 41,265 euros. However, during the first half of 2019, the Asian manufacturer will bring to market the 1.6 diesel engine in two versions: 115 CV and 136 CV of power.

Likewise, Hyundai is preparing the arrival on the market of the mild-hybrid version of the Santa Fe. In this way, the South Korean manufacturer will achieve a second model with this type of technology. However, as with the Hyundai Tucson, it will not enjoy the ECO label.

Plug-in hybrid diesel vehicle with ZERO label

Another option that brands have developed is the plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV). For these cars to be classified as PHEVs, they must have a range of more than 40 kilometres in electric mode. In addition, the DGT identifies this type of car with the ZERO environmental badge. In this format the Audi Q7 e-tron and the new C-Class and E-Class of Mercedes, in their 300 de versions, stand out.