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IMPROVING AIR QUALITY: RESULTS

The Group has reasserted its commitment to air quality with the Renault eco2 range of ecological and economical vehicles. Renault has already met most of its objectives in this area. All Renault vehicles are produced in ISO 14001 certified plants and respect the regulations on pollutant emissions in the countries where they are sold.

Design and production 

Renault has reduced the pollutant gases emitted by its production sites by investing in clean technologies and making continuous progress.

 

In 2008, average VOC emissions were reduced by 9% compared with 2007. This performance is the result of investments on recent and clean technologies.

 

Today, more than 75% of Renault sites are equipped with the  most recent clean technologies. All Group sites worldwide control their VOC emissions.

 

To reduce S02 and NOx emissions, Renault is currently replacing the use of fuel by gas in its plants. The proportion of fuel in consumed heat energy in Renault sites went from 14% in 1999 to 1% in 2008..

 

Since 2003, SO2 and NOx emissions are valued by considering all combustion processes. They were cut by 81% for SO2 and 26% for NOx between 2003 and 2008 (iso perimeter).

 

In addition, 100% of Renault sites have ISO 14001 certification, a standard on the reduction of atmospheric emissions emitted by industrial sites. Certification is issued after a stringent audit made by independent bodies. Renault also conducts an annual internal audit in order to make continuous progress.

Use 

Progress made by carmakers has reduced the pollutant emissions of vehicles by a factor of 100 over the last three decades. This reduction is set to continue, and Renault intends to intensify the effort by using innovative technology.

 

At end-2007, Renault passenger cars and light commercial vehicles sold in Europe respected Euro 4 regulations, which involve a near 50% reduction in vehicle emissions compared with Euro 3.

 

For gasoline engines, the increase in precious metals in the “three-way” catalyzer will enable compliance with future EU regulations on pollutant gas emissions. The Euro 5 standard, which targets further reductions in atmospheric pollution from road transport, will come into force on September 1, 2009 for new vehicles and January 1, 2011 for the entire European vehicle population.

 

For diesel vehicles, the Euro 5 standard will require the systematic fit of a particulate filter, which is already the case on Renault’s diesel range. Renault has also developed an innovative catalyzer, the NOx trap. This pollutant gas trap transforms nitrogen oxide particles into neutral gas.

 

New Laguna 2.0 dCi complied with Euro 5 limits on pollutant emissions from launch.