Former Fiat exec: VW fallout may hurt hybrids

"Full hybrids and plug-in hybrids will suffer most in the aftermath of Volkswagen Group's diesel emissions scandal, says former Fiat engineer Rinaldo Rinolfi, one of Europe's pre-eminent powertrain experts.Rinolfi, 68, says the move to real-world emissions tests, which has been accelerated by VW's use of a defeat device to deceive testers, will show that plug-in hybrids are not nearly as efficient when on the road compared with the very low carbon dioxide results they attain under Europe's current guidelines.This is not the first time Rinolfi, who many consider the father of the common-rail diesel, has shared a bold prediction with Automotive News Europe. In 2005, when he was head of Fiat powertrain, Rinolfi said the move to Euro 6 emission standards, which took effect last year, would end the diesel engine's reign as Europe's most popular powertrain. Automotive News Europe Editor Luca Ciferri met with Rinolfi last month here."

full article on autonews.com here.