Audi in the spotlight over emissions

Audi's top-selling model released excessive toxic diesel emissions in results from lab tests run by the European Commission and seen by Reuters, raising suspicions of wrongdoing at Volkswagen's luxury division. The results threaten to embroil Audi in the scandal that has engulfed the company since it admitted cheating US emissions tests with software to mask nitrogen oxides (NOx). The lab tests run by the European Commission's Joint Research Center (JRC) in August showed the latest Euro 6 diesel gener
December 16, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
2125 Audi's top-selling model released excessive toxic diesel emissions in results from lab tests run by the European Commission and seen by Reuters, raising suspicions of wrongdoing at 994 Volkswagen's luxury division.

The results threaten to embroil Audi in the scandal that has engulfed the company since it admitted cheating US emissions tests with software to mask nitrogen oxides (NOx).

The lab tests run by the European Commission's Joint Research Center (JRC) in August showed the latest Euro 6 diesel generation A3 emitted 163 milligrams of nitrogen oxides  per kilometre, double the statutory 80mg cap.

A separate lab-based test showed the A3 emitting 140mg of NOx at an engine temperature of 10 degrees Celsius, but emissions were below 80mg when the car was run with a cold engine.

"The differences between cold start and hot start are hard to explain," said Bas Eikhout, a lawmaker on the European Parliament's inquiry committee into the VW scandal.

Audi dismissed the results, saying the level of 163 milligrams was inflated by erroneous measurements on behalf of the JRC. Key parameters such as the state of the catalytic converter systems of the tested vehicles remain unclear, a spokesman said by email.

Other tests in Britain and Germany have shown the A3 compact, which topped the brand's sales rankings this year ahead of the A4 and A6 models, is complying with legal limits, he said.

EU regulators depend on the JRC's work to help to shape policy, but member states are responsible for policing their car industries.

A Commission spokeswoman said that the JRC's results were still preliminary. "If the test results raise some suspicion of wrongdoing, such as the installation of prohibited defeat devices, they will be shared with all relevant approval authorities," she said.

Germany's KBA motor vehicle authority declined to comment.
Air Quality & Weather Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Sensors reducing pedestrian-car collisions
    January 22, 2016
    The EU-funded ARTRAC project has developed new sensor technologies which it believes could help meet the European Commission’s target of halving road accidents by 2020. The project, which includes carmakers Volkswagen and Fiat, developed an affordable radar sensor that uses multiple antennas to detect, classify and avoid obstacles on the road before collision and reduce the likelihood of vehicles colliding with pedestrians.
    Read More
  • TRAFIC 2017: Automobile and scooter brands to exhibit electric mobility models
    October 9, 2017
    A total of 8 automobile and scooter brands will be presenting 14 models at TRAFIC 2017, the International Safe and Sustainable Mobility Exhibition, at the new electric and efficient mobility area, from 24 to 27 October. The 15th edition, organised by IFEMA, will feature Audi (F. Tomé), BMW (Cuzco Motor), Hyundai, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Volkswagen (F. Tomé) and NIU (Motos Bordoy) will present their models to professionals and demonstrate the industry's dedication to electric mobility.
    Read More
  • Westcat switch buses to renewable diesel to reduce emissions
    February 19, 2018
    Californian public transportation service Western Contra Costa Transit Authority's (WestCat's) fleet of 45 buses is now running on My Neste Renewable Diesel to help slash emissions. The fuel is designed with the intention of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% and reducing engine-out emissions. In addition, WestCat has claimed that the fuel transition has led to a reduction in the maintenance required for emissions equipment and internal engine components.
    Read More
  • Idaho finds the right formula for winter maintenance
    August 5, 2013
    Idaho’s use of key performance indicators to determine the effectiveness of its winter maintenance programme put it on the Best of ITS America shortlist. Idaho Transportation Department’s budget for winter maintenance is more than $25m – almost half of which is spent on snowplough operations. The State’s geography ranges from desert to mountains and Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has a 500+ strong winter maintenance fleet to undertake snowploughing and spreading salt, salt brine, magnesium chloride a
    Read More

Highlighted Content