Fears over pollution emissions from two of UK’S most popular cars

CONCERNS have been raised over the emissions of two of the UK’S most popular petrol cars.

The amount of harmful nitrogen oxide (NOX) emitted from Ford Fiesta and Nissan Qashqai models was described as “poor” by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The Government agency tested 15 of the country’s best selling petrol cars and found they all complied with regulatory limits.

But when a Nissan Qashqai was examined on a track and in real-world driving, the level of NOX emitted was more than eight times higher than the official laboratory test limit.

Similar tests on a Ford Fiesta found the amount of NOX to be more than four times the regulated results.

The DVSA said in a report it was “surprised” by the discovery.

Nissan stated that the Qashqai model tested has an engine which is smaller than other models, meaning it works harder. The size reduction was a bid to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

The DVSA claimed Nissan will have to make “substantial improvements” to how the Qashqai controls NOX to meet tougher regulations coming into force.

Ford told the agency that the Fiesta model tested was now out of production, and the conditions during the test were not those experienced by its typical UK customers.

The DVSA asked the manufacturer to consider developing a modification to the Fiesta to cut its emissions, but it replied that this would not be possible.

“We are disappointed by this response,” the DVSA stated.

“We believe that our road and track tests are representative of conditions that might reasonably be expected to be encountered in the UK and the technology to control NOX emissions under these conditions is available and well understood.

“While these results do not appear to imply any non-compliance with legislative requirements, in our view they do indicate an emissions control system which has not been designed to manage NOX in what might be reasonably expected real-world driving conditions.”