Tyre manufacturer Continental has developed a new after-treatment system for diesel engines, which it says is able to reduce real-world emissions by up to 60 per cent.
The ‘Super Clean Electrified Diesel’ system works via an electrically-heated catalytic converter, which runs off of a 48V electrical system and which converts toxins like NOx into less harmful chemical compounds.
Due to the fact the system is powered by electricity rather than relying on the engine to heat it up like regular catalytic converters, Continental says it’s much more efficient at reducing emissions.
The company retrofitted a diesel-powered Volkswagen Golf with a 48V electrical system as a test bed, and measured its performance according to the upcoming real driving emissions (RDE) test cycle.
According to Continental, the Golf recorded a 60 per cent reduction in harmful NOx levels, a three per cent reduction in carbon dioxide output and even saw its fuel economy increase by four per cent.
Continental says that diesel is still an important fuel but that it would have to be clean, and that the Super Clean Electrified Diesel technology “will help ensure diesel has a future”.
For now, the technology is still firmly in the development stage, however the manufacturer says that it’s already in discussions with carmakers in order to bring it to market.