They condemn the deception of ecological labels of cars

Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has recently warned, despite not having the Eco or Zero Emissions Traffic General Directorate (DGT) badge., they pollute less than others who like the label. OCU, The award of the label only considers the technology used in the cars, not the actual effect. the emissions they produce.

In this way, the organization takes this into account. current tag reward system is “unfair”, because many high-power non-plug-in hybrid cars pollute more than the new gasoline engines of low-power cars. And large displacement plug-in hybrids also pollute more when their batteries run out (after about 40 kilometers). Despite this, they enjoy a green label.

OCU is considering this The system for issuing environmental labels should be reviewed so that they can achieve their goal, which is “no more than classifying vehicles according to their actual environmental impact”.

Last week, Greenpeace activists unfurled a banner in the form of an eco-label for vehicles belonging to the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) at the facilities of a large automotive group in Villaverde (Madrid). condemn environmental labels are not “loyal” in terms of pollution.

Environmental organization, “ECO tongo. DGT is changing labels now!” At the bottom of his text, he denounced the “greenwash” required by DGT labels to qualify them as “non” ECO models such as gas or microhybrids. They will have free access to the Low Emission Zones of cities, which will become mandatory in 150 provinces from January 2023.

Environmental NGO demands Government “fix” and DGT reforms environmental labels of vehicles “as promised in 2020” and don’t succumb to pressure from the auto industry that “stopped the venture”, According to Greenpeace’s statement.

Gas is not ecological

Current labeling is a “filter” for polluting technologies such as: Fossil gas badly called natural and what the industry “disguises” as green and confuses the consumerbecause with these features, any vehicle, van or truck powered by liquefied or compressed gas “has” the DGT ECO label, with which they gain access to “significant” tax and regulatory benefits.

However, they indicate gas-powered vehicles release “large quantities” of polluting and dangerous particlesAccording to health scientists, in addition to contributing to the climate crisis in a similar way as diesel or gasoline vehicles, .

According to the NGO, the situation shows: DGT designs its labels by putting the interests of the motor industry before human health. and environmental protection”.

The environmental organization recalled that after the Government announced its intention to reform DGT labels in 2020, organizations such as Greenpeace, Fundación Renovables, Ecodes, Ecologistas en Acción and Transport & Environment launched a proposal that corrects the system’s flaws and incorporates carbon. dioxide (CO2) emissions as a criterion for environmental classification.

However, the DGT decided to “ignore” the environmental recommendations and blocked the reform of the labels under the pretext of “agreeing with the manufacturers on the labeling criteria”.

“DGT has endured the industry”

“DGT bowed to the interests of the industry to block this review, allowing thousands of polluting vehicles to be labeled as ZERO and ECO when they are not» warned Adrián Fernández, the person in charge of the Greenpeace mobility campaign.

Francisco del Pozo, coordinator of Greenpeace’s fossil fuel campaign, claimed that DGT had become “a greenwashing advertising agency for the motor industry”. Labels are just one of the cogs in the huge “washing machine” that the industry is passing polluting vehicles through as if they were clean.”

After research conducted by Harvard University on greenwashing and symbolism to capitalize on the climate crisis in the social networks of European airlines and energy companies, car brands, Greenpeace and 40 other organizations are promoting a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI). Call for a new tobacco-like law banning the advertising and sponsorship of fossil fuels in the European Union.

What do each of the badges mean?

one. 0 emission label, Blue. Identifies the most efficient tools. They will be labeled as battery electric (BEV), extended range electric (REEV), 40 km range plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) or fuel cell vehicles.

two. eco-label. Along the efficiency ladder, these are mostly hybrid vehicles, gas or both. Plug-in electric vehicles with less than 40 km of autonomy, non-plug-in hybrid (HEV), natural gas and gas (CNG and LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles will be eligible for this label. They must meet the C-label criteria.

3. Label C, Green. Internal combustion vehicles complying with the latest EURO emissions. As of January 2006, registered passenger cars and light gasoline pickup trucks, and as of September 2015, diesel vehicles will qualify for this label. Vehicles with more than 8 seats and both gasoline and diesel heavy vehicles registered as of 2014.

Four. Label B, Yellow. Internal combustion vehicles that are compatible with their predecessors, although they do not meet the latest EURO emissions specifications. Passenger cars and light petrol pickup trucks registered from January 1, 2001, and diesel vehicles from 2006 will qualify for this label.

The remaining vehicles, with 50% of the most polluting the environment, do not qualify for any badges as they do not meet the requirements for labeling as clean vehicles.

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Environment department contact address:crisclimatica@prensaiberica.es