DPA
Federal Ministry of Transport has allegedly set the technical rules for the hardware retrofitting of older diesel cars
The Federal Ministry of Transport has created the condition for retrofitting older diesel engines. “Now is the retrofit industry on the train to develop effective systems that comply with all limits and regulations,” said Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer on Friday in Berlin.
“If these have been met, the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) will grant approval as soon as possible so that the retrofit systems can be offered on the market in a timely manner.” The rules for retrofitting would be published in the Federal Gazette at the beginning of January 2019, the ministry said.
Previously, the “Bild” newspaper had reported that the Federal Ministry of Transport had set the technical rules for the hardware retrofitting of older diesel cars. In a 30-page paper, the technical requirements for the “General Operating Permit” (ABE) are fixed, which are required for the approval of the hardware kits by the Federal Motor Transport Authority. This is considered an important step in the conversion of older diesel cars.
In the conversion to reduce the nitrogen oxide emissions of diesel vehicles so-called SCR catalysts are installed, which work with urea solution. The retrofit kits must be approved by the Federal Motor Transport Authority. The corresponding requirements are set by the Ministry of Transport.
According to the newspaper, the Federal Motor Transport Authority has not yet received complete and decision-ready applications for car retrofit kits. The auto industry is now on the train to present the corresponding equipment. Federal Minister Scheuer said the developers of the retrofit systems said they needed six months. “Then the KBA can grant the permits and then production and installation can be carried out as quickly as possible.”
No warranty for retrofitting
Germany’s carmakers are the retrofitting but very skeptical. The Association of the German Automotive Industry (VDA) warned now, owners of older diesel could not expect technical support after retrofitting with the support of German manufacturers.
“We can not guarantee for a vehicle, in the subsequent exhaust gas purification systems of third parties were installed,” said Association President Bernhard Mattes the newspaper “Die Welt” (Friday edition). “If a customer converts his vehicle, then he and the Nachrüster also bear the responsibility for possible consequential damage.”
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Mattes continued: “That’s another reason why we have always emphasized that rapid inventory renewal is the best way to go: the air quality is rising, the customer has a new car or a young car.”
dpa / RTR / akn