Automakers under suspicion of fresh cheating in new emissions test

The European Commission has concrete information suggesting that automakers are cheating in a new emissions testing procedure. Only this time, they appear to be over-polluting, in order to make it easier for them to meet stricter limits on CO2 emissions in the future.

The analysis of initial results from the new Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), which is based on real-driving data rather than lab testing results, indicates that “the official emission levels stated by the manufacturers could be overstated,” said a Commission paper seen by Handelsblatt.

That means there is a “clear risk” that the EU may miss its CO2 reduction targets for cars by 2025 and 2030, the paper said.

The automakers have been required since September 2017 to test new models using the WLTP method, a tougher procedure introduced in the wake of the VW diesel emissions scandal that had exploited the previous practice of only testing cars in laboratory conditions rather than on the road. read more »