The growing popularity of SUVs in all sectors of the company car fleet market means that fleets could increasingly struggle to hit cost and emissions targets, says Chevin Fleet Solutions. The fleet management software specialist points out that even the most car-like of SUVs tend to have worse emissions and fuel economy than their equivalent hatchbacks or … [Read more...]
Car makers want rapid change in emissions testing
Vehicle makers want the rapid introduction of Real Driving Emissions testing, says ACEA. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association takes note of the announcements of recent vehicle tests by Germany’s federal motor transport authority (KBA) as well as the UK Department for Transport. Both these announcements highlight the known differences … [Read more...]
Volkswagen may face impossible task over engines
It may be impossible to fix Volkswagen Group cars which have illegally high exhaust emssions, according to the California Air Resources Board. An official of the board has said the state may allow partially repaired VW diesel cars to continue operating on its roads because a full fix may be impossible. The agreement with being negotiated with VW also … [Read more...]
European inquiry ordered by MEPs over emissions tests
The European Parliament is setting up a committee of inquiry into car emission tests. MEPs voted for the inquiry team comprising 45 members who will also investigate alleged failures by EU member states and the European Commission to enforce EU standards. It will present an interim report within 6 months, and a final report within 12 months, of … [Read more...]
Car makers delay emissions enforcement for five years
European car-makers have won the first round of their fight to postpone tougher emissions testing despite Volkswagen’s deception over current limits. The European Union's industrial-policy chief scaled back proposed tougher tests on car pollution after member states said they were concerned about potential costs for automakers who employ hundreds of … [Read more...]
Europe wants cleaner exhausts soon
A fifteen-year programme of continually cleaning up exhaust emissions from motor vehicles will be discussed by EU ministers this week. Members of the European Parliament will organize several votes on emissions issues. Real driving emissions tests will be the first area of discussion, which started yesterday. This resolution was prepared after the … [Read more...]
Innocent drivers to escape tax penalty on “doctored” cars
The government has announced that UK taxpayers will not incur higher Vehicle Excise Duty if their existing vehicles are found to be fitted with illegal software that manipulates emissions tests. Following VW’s admission of using ‘defeat devices’ in diesel cars, there is an ongoing UK government investigation which began last week into the extent of this … [Read more...]
Tougher emissions tests begin in months
The European Union will agree on an outline to reform the system for type approving new vehicles by the end of the year. "The focus is on clarifying and strengthening the recall system and the exchange of information among type approval authorities," said a spokeswoman for the European Commission, the EU's executive arm. The new market surveillance … [Read more...]
Come clean on emissions tests, says UK Government
British Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin wants a re-examination of vehicle emission testing in Europe. “The government takes the unacceptable actions of VW extremely seriously. “My priority is to protect the public as we go through the process of investigating what went wrong and what we can do to stop it happening again in the future,” he … [Read more...]
Emissions caps lowered and widened under EU proposals
Europe is planning to get tougher on vehicle emissions. MEPs this week said they want lower limits, a widening of gases measured and more frequent target reviews. They are concerned about air pollution but their comments will attract criticism from vehicle makers and governments who fear for jobs while also getting pressure from … [Read more...]
