Switzerland: Too many defective diesels on the road

In view of the emissions scandal that has been going on for years, diesel vehicles are still often found to exceed the permissible emission limits. But diesel cars can also show increased emissions outside the intended situation under other conditions. Technical defects, for example, can also lead to insufficient or incorrect emission control when driving. This is precisely what Swiss motorists are increasingly confronted with. This is because the Swiss Automobile Association (AGVS) warns of defective particle filters and the possible exceeding of the permissible pollutant values associated with them.  

More and more cars are failing the emissions test due to small cracks in the diesel particle filter. According to estimates by the AGVS, one in five diesel cars is affected. On the other hand, the picture painted by the Swiss road traffic authorities is somewhat more optimistic. As a result of their emissions tests, about one in ten vehicles would not pass the emissions test. A worrying result, which certainly raises the question of how many vehicles - some even unaware of their filter defects - contribute more to air emissions than expected and permitted. Most importantly, compared to the permitted emission of up to 250,000 particles, the calibrated measuring instruments detected a much higher pollutant quantity of millions of particles. The country's authorities, as well as the car industry, should therefore act quickly if they want to get the released pollutants under control again.  

However, the problem of defective filter systems cannot be solved so easily. No warning by indicator lights - explains the road traffic office of the canton of St. Gallen - comes from the on-board computer, for example, when the performance of the exhaust filter decreases or fails completely. Only the exhaust gas test introduced at the beginning of the year is able to check the condition of the filter unit and ensure that it is working properly.  And even if a defect is noted in the workshop, the process of replacing the component is a lengthy and costly procedure. Estimates range from 2,000 to 4,000 euros per car, and long waiting times of around five months also make life difficult for affected car owners. Some manufacturers even expect the filter part to be available no earlier than 2024.  

It is clear, however, that this will not have trivial consequences for the environment and, of course, for motorists. Before the appropriate repair and maintenance of the particle filter, the diesel car would not be allowed to be driven at all. An unpleasant decision for citizens, but nevertheless necessary to escape a massive increase in pollutant levels. Although there is actually only one environmental zone in Switzerland - namely the weather-related air protection zone active in Geneva - the Alpine republic also has a responsibility in the final analysis to reduce air pollution and protect air quality. For the environment as well as for the health of its citizens.  

In view of the large number of cars that may exceed the emission limits, will the authorities now decide to increase the pace of controls and force the industry to provide spare parts more quickly? Can new low emission zones be introduced, at least temporarily, in which the most polluting vehicles are not allowed to circulate? It only remains to follow the situation in Switzerland with interest - as the same could eventually happen in many other countries.