CAR MAKERS IN POLLUTION ‘CONSPIRACY’
FIVE German car giants have been accused of operating a cartel to put “profits before people”.
The European Union yesterday launched a probe into claims BMW, Mercedes-Benz owner Daimler, Volkswagen and its Audi and Porsche offshoots “limited” the roll-out of emission-cutting technologies.
The move, possibly to save large development costs, means cars may have pumped out more toxic fumes, say experts.
There are growing fears about the impact vehicle pollution is having on people’s health and the environment.
Greg Archer, director of campaigning group Transport & Environment, said: “What these firms have been doing is absolutely cynical.” He claimed “by colluding to keep these technologies out of the market, they have put profits before people”.
VW is still recovering from revelations that devices fitted to its vehicles were allegedly designed to cheat diesel emissions tests.
The EU is investigating “possible collusion” between the car makers to avoid competition on the development and roll-out of technology to clean the emissions of petrol and diesel passenger cars. The claims centre on the selective catalytic reduction systems and particulate filters, which cut harmful emissions from diesel and petrol engines respectively. Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said: “If proven, this collusion may have denied consumers the opportunity to buy less polluting cars, despite the technology being available to the manufacturers.” Firms face fines up to 10% of their turnover for breaching EU rules. BMW said they support the probe and VW said they were cooperating but neither would comment.