Report: More Automakers May Be Underreporting Emissions for Diesels
A report based on an analysis of emissions tests performed by the ADAC, Germany’s largest auto club, as part of its EcoTest program revealed that some automakers have been able to meet the latest European NOx emissions standards under realistic driving conditions, while others were not.
The report, released by the European Federation for Transport and Environment, suggests that that Volkswagen and Audi may not be alone in their use of technology that is used to ensure their vehicles produce lower emissions in tests than in real-world driving and points the finger at BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Opel as potential offenders.
The story was first reported in Automotive News on Tuesday.
Emissions systems in diesel-powered cars “are optimized for the tested conditions and there is substantial anecdotal evidence that the cars detect when they are tested and deploy ‘cycle-beating’ techniques to reduce emissions,” the group said in its report.
The analysis of the data provided by the ADAC was undertaken by the International Council on Clean Transportation.
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered German automaker Volkswagen to recall almost half a million four-cylinder Volkswagen and Audi diesel powered cars saying they had software that, during emissions tests, circumvented EPA emissions standards for certain air pollutants. On Wednesday, Martin Winterkorn, VW’s CEO, resigned, taking responsibility for the emissions scandal, which has already damaged the automaker’s reputation and may cause repercussions to the German economy.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
