More emissions cheating
European report finds makers could be rigging tests
CAR makers may be tampering with emissions tests again, but this time by increasing tailpipe emissions.
Previous scandals have involved car manufacturers cheating tests so that their vehicles registered lower emissions, but a new report by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) suggests makers are now rigging cars artificially so they appear to pollute more under test conditions, in some cases by as much as 13 per cent.
The report found some cars had their stop/start system disabled, while others came with a depleted battery. Makers were also found to have overstated their CO2 emissions in official declarations by an average of 4.5 per cent, compared with values measured. The European Commission set new emissions targets for car manufacturers last year: by 2025, they have to achieve a 15 per cent cut in their 2021 emissions, measured under the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) test. An inflated WLTP test score now would mean that manufacturers would need to make fewer improvements in the future.
The Commission found that “as a result, the targets for 2025 and 2030 would also be weakened due to the inflated 2021 starting point”.
William Todts, executive director of the Transport & Environment campaign group, said: “After Dieselgate, car makers promised to change and new tests were the solution. Now they’re using new tests to undermine the already weak CO2 standards.”
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association said: “WLTP introduces much more realistic and robust testing conditions. This ensures that lab measurements now better reflect on-road performance. [We] remain committed to help the Commission further improve and fine-tune the WLTP regulation, should this be required.”
“Report suggests some car makers are rigging their cars to pollute more in tests”