Effective NO_x Reduction

Excerpt

Alongside CO₂ emissions, NO_x emissions from internal combustion engines are the decisive criterion for assessing their environmental compatibility and thus their future viability. According to the German Federal Environment Agency, traffic-related NO_x emissions and also the average NO_x concentration in the air - in both rural and urban areas - have roughly halved since the turn of the millennium despite the growing number of vehicles. Declines have been particularly large over the past five years. Nevertheless, the European Court of Justice issued a ruling in June 2021 stating that Germany had not done enough for years to combat high NO_x pollution in cities and had thus violated European law. Further substantial reductions are essential in the medium term. Ever stricter legislation at European level and worldwide therefore requires even more effective exhaust gas aftertreatment systems that virtually rule out any negative impact on air quality. From a technical point of view, this task can be solved, albeit only at considerable effort. …