Paris and London join forces to give drivers real-world emissions data

The cities of Paris and London will provide real-world emissions data for their cars as part of a new measurement system. The aim of this initiative is to help buyers choose more reliably which are the greenest cars on the market.

The scheme will begin in late autumn and was announced by the mayors of London (Sadiq Khan) and Paris (Anne Hidalgo). The project will include a website where buyers and drivers will be able to check the level of pollution produced by most cars and vans around the world.

These real-world emissions tests will form part of the European Union type-approval process from 1 September 2017. The tests will be carried out using a “portable emissions measurement system” (PEMS), which, unlike the traditional method, will not take place in a laboratory but on public roads. Initially, only nitrogen oxide levels emitted by vehicles will be monitored. However, the European Commission has stated that there is considerable scope to include more pollutants in this measurement process.

These tests will form part of the EU type-approval process from 1 September 2017. According to the Mayor of London, this scheme aims to put an end to the current emissions measurement system, although he also clarifies that it will not be used as an official measurement method by manufacturers, at least for the time being. It is worth remembering that a few weeks ago, Volkswagen suggested the possibility of offering more realistic emissions data for its new models.

“It will provide citizens with an honest, accurate and independent assessment of the emissions levels of most cars and vans on our roads. By offering tests carried out on public roads, we will help Londoners make an informed decision, and we will encourage manufacturers to build greener vehicles than before,” says Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London.