Debate Over Diesel Car Filters Heats Up

Tensions are rising between German car manufacturers and environmentalists. At issue are diesel cars. The latter group credit the rising popularity of diesel-powered models with a dangerous increase in cancer-causing particulate pollution.

They are pushing for emissions limits to be set so low that car manufacturers will be forced to install filters. Meanwhile, car makers, particularly Volkswagen, say the cost of fitting filters into smaller models is simply too high.

Both sides are vying for the attention of German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder in the hope that he will come in on their side.

Filters for all models?

Ahead of Tuesday's meeting between Germany's Environmental Minister Jürgen Trittin and Chancellor Schröder, where the two discussed the subject, environmentalists staged a publicity stunt to punch holes in Volkswagen's argument. The alliance "No Diesel Without Filters", of which Help the German Environment (DUH) is a participant, unveiled a diesel-powered Smart car with a filter costing just €200.

"We hereby belie the assertions of German car makers who claim particulate filters are not cost efficient," said Jürgen Resch, the head of DUH. The organization claims filters for other smaller models, like the VW Lupo and Audi A2, are also cheap at just €250. "That's what customers pay for the added option of a heated side-wing mirror," said Resch. "Volkswagen wants to gain a competitive edge at the cost of the environment and people's health."

DUH and other environmental organizations would like the government to set emission limits at 2.5 milligrams per kilometer, while Volkswagen is hoping for higher limits of around 8 milligrams per kilometer, which it could adhere to without installing filters. What's more, environmentalists would like to see tax breaks for motorists who opt for so-called "clean diesel" models fitted with filters. France has already introduced such a system.

"Generation Cancer"?

Whatever the other advantages of diesel-powered cars may be, they emit more carcinogenic sooty particles than traditional fossil-fuel burning cars. These particles have been linked to lung cancer and trigger other adverse respiratory problems.

According to a study conducted by the Federal Environmental Agency, 14,000 people die prematurely each year as a result of diesel pollution.

"We expect the Chancellor to choose a limit based on what is technically possible and to introduce tax incentives on models with filters by 2006," said Stefan Bundscherer, an expert for the German Association of Environment and Nature Protection. "Thus Germany's 'Generation Golf' children will not become 'Generation Cancer'," he added, referring to the Gen-X type term used to describe Germany's younger generation, which overwhelmingly drove popular Volkwagen Golf models.

However, it is not entirely clear if this posturing on the part of environmental groups has paid off. Thomas Steg, a government spokesman, said on Tuesday that the federal government was waiting for the European Commission to set EU-wide limits -- now expected to be released in the Fall -- and would re-examine the situation at that time.

Both sides may have to wait a bit longer to find out where the Chancellor stands.