Time has an article claiming the Volkswagen pollution faux-control scandal will seriously damage the sale of diesel vehicles, particularly "light" ones, probably meaning autos. Pause a moment before you run off screaming "the sky is falling" as the "experts" they consulted seem to.
The technology to cope with nitrous oxide production in diesels already exists, it is called "diesel exhaust fluid" and is basically distilled water and urea. Sprayed into the exhaust stream the urea breaks down into ammonia and carbon dioxide.
Selective catalytic reduction is used to convert that ammonia plus the unwanted nitrous oxides to water vapor and nitrogen. Both are harmless and non-polluting.
I own a 2015 Ford F350 pickup truck that uses this system and find it entirely unexceptionable. Every several thousand miles I will need to add a couple of gallons of BlueDEF.
My teamster nephew says how often I add DEF will depend on the amount of towing I do; that is, how hard the engine is working. Towing = working harder = using more DEF per mile.
If VW, and other makers of diesel cars will add a DEF system, I see no reason they cannot legitimately pass emission tests. DEF makes operating a diesel vehicle slightly more hassle than formerly, it shouldn't be a deal-breaker. Hat tip to RealClearPolicy for the link.
