Industry News: Mr. Volkswagen Heads To Washington To Make Lawmakers Go Easier On Diesels

[William Maley]

William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

August 26, 2013

The past couple of years has seen the rise of diesel powered vehicles in the U.S. Automakers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Chevrolet have introduced diesel vehicles to acclaim. Other automakers such as Mazda and Audi are readying vehicles to join in the fun. But there are still a number of roadblocks for automakers to bring diesel vehicles into the marketplace. To fight this, The Detroit News reports that Volkswagen is urging officials to level the playing field.

“We’re not feeling the love. This is one of the greenest choices... It’s time the U.S. government included clean diesel in its ‘all of the above’ strategy’ for greening U.S. roads. Putting these vehicles on the road should be incentivized and not penalized, and that’s our goal,” said Anna Schneider, vice president for industry and government relations at VW Group of America.

The big thing Volkswagen would like to see is the tax on diesel fuel be reduced. Second is that number of credits for the upcoming 54.5 mpg regulations be increased for automakers that produce diesel vehicles. Finally, Volkswagen is asking the EPA to adjust how it calculates its combined fuel economy rating. Currently the EPA calculates it by using a ration 55 percent city and 45 percent highway. Schneider said that the current way the EPA is figuring it out doesn't reflect real-world driving.

Source: The Detroit News

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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[ocnblu]

I hope he succeeds. I think diesels are the simplest, most real-world friendly way forward.

[Blake Noble]

I've got a feeling this probably won't go over in VW's favor, sadly. Someone will see to it that they'll be sent home packing.

[G. David Felt]

As much as this would be great and I think the crazy tax's on Diesels needs to be dropped, I doubt it will make an impact.