According to Reuters, Honda has confirmed on Monday that it will drop all diesel cars as early as 2021 to meet the global emissions regulations.
The proposed CO2 targets (Infographic credit: EU Commission)
The current 120 grams CO2 figure keeps rising up for the car market trends still indulged in SUVs. Based on the EU emission targets however, CO2 must be cut to 95 grams per km for 95% of cars. Further, all cars sold in Europe need to be electrified by 2025.
To comply with the strict emissions regulations, Honda is ready to phase out the diesel vehicles and focus on the electric ones.
For now, Honda has introduced the Euro-spec CR-V which replaced the diesel engine with a hybrid powertrain. While the next generation Jazz is said to come as a hybrid, the Honda E is an apparent example for Honda to ditch diesel in Europe.
Honda is also to reduce its model variations to a third by 2025 while cutting production costs globally by 10%. Earlier this year, the automaker decided to shut down its Swindon factory in the U.K. where the Civic/Civic Type R are made. And the Civic sedan won’t be produced at the plant in Turkey in 2021.
In this case, 3,500 workers are laid off due to the factory close in the U.K from the cruel side. From the positive side, the funds saved from this process can help Honda to invest more on the R&D department for EVs.
How Many Years The Diesel Car Has Left?
Honda was the first to meet difficult emissions standards back in 1973
Honda is not the single one to keep the head above water. More and more automakers are shifting their focus from diesel cars to electric cars. A general estimate is one decade before the diesel cars exit from the mainstream market.
Volvo launched its last generation of diesel engines this year, which is said to keep the diesel trend survive for 5-6 years more. Daimler development chief Markus Schaefer said that they have no plan to develop new combustion engine for Mercedes-Benz, and the shift is expected to be achieved within 5 years.
However, it's not the end of diesel vehicles. The shift from ICE to EV is without question for car makers, but they'll still have to wait for at least two decades before the EVs dominate the market.
