A proposal to veto a draft decision to raise diesel car emission limits for nitrogen oxides by up to 110% when the Real Driving Emissions test procedure is introduced was discussed by MEPs and internal market Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska.
It will be put to the vote at the next plenary session.
Parliament’s Environment Committee argues that MEPs should veto plans to relax the limits because this would undermine the enforcement of existing EU standards.
Some Members called on the European Commission to put forward a revised proposal, as well as plans for a stronger type-approval system for vehicles in the EU. Others stressed the need to put the Real Drive Emissions test procedure into effect quickly, in order to bring down emission levels.
In her concluding remarks, Commissionner Bieńkowska said that vetoing the proposed measures would only prolong today’s unsatisfactory car testing regime.
As part of a package to introduce the long-awaited RDE test procedure, endorsed by EU member states in the Technical Committee for Motor Vehicles (TCMV) on 28 October, the European Commission proposed to raise car NOx emission limits by up to 110%.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association says it agrees with the need for emissions to more closely reflect real-world conditions.
“We urgently need to have a new test method to bridge the gap between the current laboratory testing of pollutant emissions, as defined by law, and the very different conditions experienced on the road,” said Erik Jonnaert, ACEA Secretary General.
Alongside other stakeholders, ACEA has been contributing to the efforts of the European Commission and member states to develop a robust RDE test.
During the October meeting of the Commission’s regulatory committee a tough compromise was agreed on RDE with testing standards that will be extremely difficult for automobile manufacturers to reach in a short space of time, and highly challenging targets in a second step. The European regulatory committee also agreed that the RDE conformity factor should be reviewed in the future.
“Despite the challenges in the latest proposals, the industry urgently needs clarity now so manufacturers can plan the development and design of vehicles in line with the new RDE requirements.
“Any delay to this legislation would leave little time to make the necessary changes and ultimately would just push back the benefits for the environment,” stated Jonnaert.
“Our industry needs the RDE test to restore the confidence of consumers and legislators in the environmental performance of new vehicles.”
| Renault recall models as troubles mount for Volkswagen |
| Renault will recall more than 15,000 vehicles to make changes to their engines to bring them into line with emissions standards, France’s Energy Minister, Segolene Royal, told a radio station today.
The minister repeated that Renault was not alone in exceeding emissions levels, although she did not name any other carmakers. It has been claimed but not confirmed by Renault that the affected models are Captur, Espace and an un-named utility vehicle. Tests by regulators have found their emissions systems may not work as intended when very hot or below 17Deg C. Royal said its testers had also found other makers failed to comply within limits but she has not named them. Earlier this week, Ford and Mercedes models were found to have breached limits with some models. Renault did not reveal that the Government had tested the models but when the news leaked from a trade union communication, the car maker’s stock slumped 23%, wiping out €5.8 Billion before climbing back to just 10% down. The failure to disclose the probe may now leave Renault open to a class action by shareholders who have seen their investment affected. Volkswagen shareholders are preparing to sue the company for compensation over lost investment value in the wake of its cheating. US and UK investment institutions are preparing to go to court in Brunswick later this week and are expected to be joined by private shareholders in the action which has seen €22 Billion wiped off. These are in addition to US investors and the US Government which is taking action under the Clean Air Act. South Korea intends to take its Volkswagen head to court over the emissions issue and recall programme and Swedish investigators are looking at the situation in their country. |
