Boating New Zealand - July 2018

72 Boating New Zealand

of the world’s electricity generation (around 70 percent) is still

produced by fossil fuels – and will be for the foreseeable future.

So to present electric or hybrid vehicles as ‘emission-free’ is a

little disingenuous.

Senecal says the demonisation of the diesel engine that

followed the 2015 ‘dieselgate scandal’ – when automotive giant

VW was found to have fudged its engines’ emissions data –

has been politicised, to the point where several governments

are proposing an outright ban on petrol- and diesel-powered

vehicles. He does not believe this is realistic.

THE WAY FORWARD

Electric and hybrid technologies will continue to grow, but with

continued R&D, internal combustion engines will become even

cleaner and will remain at the heart of motive power for years

to come.

“he margins are still there. We have to work towards

constant improvement, especially now, as we stand at the cusp

of the introduction of European Stage V regulations.” BNZ

Are even the latest-

generation engines

to be banned from

new builds?