German env min Schulze says diesel cars need mechanical retrofit to avoid EU fines
Manipulated diesel cars in Germany will need a mechanical engine retrofitting to ensure the European Union does not sue the country over exceeding emissions levels in transport for several years, environment minister Svenja Schulze says in an interview with the influential German Automobile Club鈥檚 (ADAC) magazine motorwelt. The EU鈥檚 lawsuit shows that measures taken so far to improve air quality in German cities are insufficient. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we need quicker progress. Only mechanical retrofits can do this. Those who oppose this risk provoking driving bans,鈥� Schulze said, adding that her fellow government member, transport minister Andreas Scheuer, was wrong to believe that a mere software update for manipulated diesel cars will bring down emissions sufficiently. Schulze said the coalition treaty 鈥渃learly鈥� states that retrofits need to be done if they are technically feasible and economically viable. 鈥淏oth conditions are met,鈥� she said, adding that carmakers themselves have to pay for all measures needed to solve the problem 鈥渢hey themselves have caused鈥�.
Read the interview in German .
For background, read the factsheet Diesel driving bans in Germany 鈥� The Q&A.