London - Some of Britain's most popular cars, ranging from the Mini Cooper to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, are emitting harmful levels of pollutants up to 15 times higher than official limits, according to Which?
A new analysis of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions data from more than 300 vehicles tested by the consumer group reveals 95 per cent of diesel vehicles are in breach of pollution limits.
Although the vehicles comply with European regulations under tests due to be scrapped next year and replaced with a new testing regime, the results were different when a more realistic test was conducted on a rolling road in a Which? laboratory, claims the consumer group.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee was the worst-performing diesel car in terms of NOx emissions, with levels 15 times above the European maximum. Two-thirds of petrol cars emitted more CO than they are allowed to, with the Hyundai Veloster - six times above the maximum limit - the worst offender.
WORST OFFENDERS
Diesel (NOx) emissions (g/km)
(Euro 6 2015 limit 0.08)
Jeep Grand Cherokee - 2.7
Subaru Forester - 1.19
Nissan X-Trail - 1.09
Nissan Qashqai - 0.99
Kia Sportage - 0.93
Petrol (NOx) emissions (g/km)
(Euro 6 2015 limit 0.06)
Mercedes-Benz SL - 0.2
Mercedes-Benz E-Class - 0.17
Mini Cooper - 0.16
Nissan Pulsar - 0.15
Nissan Qashqai - 0.12
Petrol (CO) emissions (g/km)
(Euro 6 2015 limit 1.0)
Hyundai Veloster - 6.11
Nissan Note - 5.36
Toyota Aygo - 4.91
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - 4.69
Nissan 370Z - 4.63
Source: Which?
Story: The Independent
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