Your non-diagnostic vehicle-related problems solved by Steve Rothwell
GENERAL
Alternative fuels
Q Possible further expansion of London’s ULEZ has prompted me to make this enquiry so I can imagine there are other people who may interested in your response. Anyway, the article written by Rob Marshall (Alternative Fuels, CM May 2019) mentioned, in the section headed “DIY hydrogen retrofit”, a device – the AtmosClear Exo:1 – that purportedly reduced emissions and increased mileage (decreased consumption).
Has there been any follow-up to this article and can you advise as to whether the item in question with or without a retrofit exhaust system that also helps out – eg. Vortex Exhaust Technology (see CM November 2012) can be used to achieve Euro 6 standard on a diesel vehicle originally manufactured to Euro 5 emissions specification?
Also, can you advise if there has been any “progress” at all toward there being retrofit solutions for car owners to upgrade their non-Euro 6 compliant vehicles in the UK? Especially as I note that considerable progress, both in enabling legislation and retail fitment of products (Dr. Pley et al) has been made on this in Germany. Some might enquire as to if not, why not?
A It was noted in the article that the AtmosClear Exo:1 was not promoted on a fuel saving basis, but on the ability to reduce emissions.
The article on alternative fuels at the time was looking at viable alternatives and the effect they may have. Basic tests we carried out did confirm that fuel economy was not improved with the device, but no long-term trials were made as to the emissions outputs.
Unfortunately, the way the legislation stands at the moment, any retrofit device would need for the vehicle to be reclassified to benefit from the Euro 6 acceptance, and this is not possible. To meet the Euro 6 standards, a vehicle must be assessed in laboratory conditions when the model is being developed. So, whilst in theory, it’s possible to adapt a car to meet Euro 6 standards, at this moment in time the actual reclassification process is not viable. There are retro-fit systems available for commercial vehicles, but even on the vehicles that can be adapted the costs involved in the testing and acceptance process are high.
The German legislation you refer to is the SCR system developed by Dr Pley SCR Technology GmbH and produced and sold by Bosal Retrofit GmbH. This is suitable for upgrading the hardware of diesel cars compliant with Euro 5 (SCR stands for Selective Catalyst Reduction). It fulfils all the requirements of the new retrofitting guideline for exemption from driving bans. The system is TÜV tested and certified with a homologation (ABE) from the German Federal Motor Vehicle Authority (KBA). This is not accepted by the DVLA and so without the full vehicle reclassification would not allow the vehicle to be ULEZ compliant.
Thi
