Honda begins sales of clean diesel automobiles compliant with European emission standards

Offering enhanced fuel efficiency thanks to their higher thermal efficiency, diesel engines are seen especially in Europe as a key technology for reducing CO₂ emissions. Reducing the NOx, particulate matter (PM) and other harmful substances found in diesel engine exhaust, however, has been a major issue of the technology.

In 2003, Honda developed the 2.2 L four-cylinder i-CTDi diesel engine, which offered exceptionally clean performance. In Europe, Honda implemented the engine on the Accord and other models, achieving a highly favorable response. In 2007, to meet increasingly tough emission standards in countries around the world, Honda introduced the i-DTEC engine, a more advanced version of the i-CTDi that offered emissions performance equivalent to that of a gasoline engine. The newly developed 2.2 L i-DTEC engine passed the Euro5 emission standard before it came into effect in 2009. In November 2008, Honda implemented the i-DTEC diesel engine on the Accord and Accord Tourer in Europe.

Honda is currently developing a new, more compact diesel engine that it plans to launch in Europe and other markets. Along with Honda’s current 2.2 L diesel engine, the new engine will leverage the ability of diesel technology to reduce CO₂ emissions.