The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has announced plans to raise awareness regarding the UK's cleanest fuels, while at the same time tackling widespread misconceptions of diesel.
It follows the publication of a recent YouGov poll that showed 54 per cent of people mistakenly believe that cars and commercial vehicles are the biggest producers of air pollutants in the UK – the real culprit being the nation's power stations.
Overall, it would require the emissions of 42 million Euro-6 diesel vehicles – almost four times the number currently in service on the nation's roads – to equal the output in NOx pollutants of just one coal-fired power station.
Common misconceptions, or the "demonisation", of the environmental credentials of diesel models therefore now need to be cleared up.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes commented: "We need to avoid penalising one vehicle technology over another and instead encourage the uptake of the latest low emission vehicles by consumers.
"The allegations against diesel cars made in recent months threaten to misguide policy making and undermine public confidence in diesel. It’s time to put the record straight."
He added that today's latest diesel models are the cleanest they have ever been and are the culmination of millions of pounds of investment by manufacturers to create vehicles that are both economical and environmentally responsible.
As such, the organisation
has announced it will be working in partnership with some of the nation's largest car manufacturers –
including BMW UK, Ford of Britain, Jaguar Land Rover and Volkswagen – to raise awareness of the new Euro-6 emissions standard, which mean diesel vehicles are the cleanest they have ever been.
Furthermore, the SMMT is also keen to reinforce the fact that from September 1st this year, all new vehicles produced across the eurozone will be forced to meet these requirements.