TÜV SÜD: Do the maths before retrofitting
TÜV SÜD: Do the maths before retrofitting
Germany's Government Budgetary Committee recently decided that owners of diesel-powered cars are likely to receive financial support once again in 2012 and 2013 for retrofitting their cars with particulate filter systems. Could this be an incentive to get that old diesel vehicle fit enough for city centre low emission zones? While TÜV SÜD believes the continuation of funding for retrofitted particulate filters is the right move, owners of diesel-driven vehicles requiring the filter are advised to examine in detail whether the investment will be worthwhile, given rising diesel prices and continuing high taxes, or whether they would perhaps be better off buying a new or used car that already has a filter fitted or runs on petrol. TÜV SÜD's experts have some tips.
A larger range, economical consumption, longer life – for frequent drivers, the significantly lower fuel price and frugal engine are reasons enough to choose a diesel car. But do they still apply? In Germany, diesel is now only five cents cheaper than petrol on average, the fuel consumption rates of today's petrol-driven cars are approaching those of diesel cars, and low emission zones in cities are only a tricky topic for diesel drivers – petrol-driven cars can generally go anywhere. So are these arguments in favour of diesel cars yesterday's news? Is it still worth putting an old diesel car on the road, even with the new subsidy for a particulate filter? All drivers requiring a retrofit will receive 330 euros from the government in 2012, 260 euros in 2013 – and then no more. "Drivers considering taking up the subsidy and ordering a retrofit should take the opportunity to examine their driving patterns and their full range of costs in detail", recommends Jürgen Wolz of TÜV SÜD. The relatively high fuel consumption of older diesel-powered vehicles is one particular factor that will rapidly swallow up the cost benefits that represent diesel's primary advantage. "Consumption, environment, costs – under certain circumstances, investing in a more modern car can be a better deal than applying for the government subsidy", notes Wolz.
A typical example could be a 2004 Mercedes A class 170 CDI with almost 150,000 kilometres on the clock. Although the Swabian-built vehicle is in perfect condition and only seven years old, it is no longer allowed in the centres of many major German cities: Leipzig, Berlin and Hanover are all out of bounds for this compact car. You might think that 330 euros from the government would be a boon in this situation.
But – and this is a big but – the total costs of retrofitting a particulate filter to get the car in shape for a green 'low-emission zone' sticker would exceed 1,000 euros – around one-third of what the car is worth. Paying out over 700 euros for a car with a list price of around 3,500 euros? Most garages would advise against the move – primarily because given the car's high mileage, expensive repairs will soon be on the cards anyway. In addition, the A-class vehicle with the double floor is no more economical than a modern petrol-driven car, with an average of almost six litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. And road tax is twice as high as the car's most up-to-date version, at 290 euros.
So is it even worth continuing to run the old car? As a comparison, a modern diesel car of a comparable make and size uses almost five litres per 100 kilometres, has free passage to travel in city centres thanks to its green environmental sticker, and has a tax bill of a mere 150 euros per year. Assuming an annual mileage of 20,000 kilometres, the driver would save 300 euros on fuel alone, plus 140 euros on road tax. To top it off, the car's carbon emissions are 20 grams lower than in the older model, at 115 grams per 100 kilometres – an additional environmental benefit. Used two-year-old diesel cars in the same category can be found for around 10,000 euros.
Retrofitting is primarily a good solution for drivers unwilling to invest in a newer vehicle – especially given that 2012 will see the next round of cities setting up environmental zones. Cars aiming for the city centres of Stuttgart and Frankfurt am Main will require a green sticker from the start of 2012, while Munich will join them from October 2012.
After one year's break for the government subsidy, drivers planning a retrofit can again apply for a 330-euro contribution to their retrofit in 2012. This one-off payment is also given to camper vans up to 3.5 tonnes permissible total weight. The ruling applies to the end of 2012. Applications can be sent to the German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) from the start of 2012. More precise details of the subsidy had not been announced at the time of writing.
Contact: Frank Volk