Skip to main content

FIA urges more rigorous vehicle emissions testing

In light of the VW emissions testing scandal, FIA Region I continues to urge the introduction of a more rigorous testing procedure for vehicle emissions and fuel consumption in the EU. Although vehicles are passing the tests, a growing body of evidence shows that virtually no vehicle, whether diesel or petrol, can comply with emissions levels achieved in testing when in real-world settings. The FIA and its members have consistently supported the introduction of a robust test cycle and real driving emiss
September 28, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
In light of the VW emissions testing scandal, 8054 FIA Region I continues to urge the introduction of a more rigorous testing procedure for vehicle emissions and fuel consumption in the EU. Although vehicles are passing the tests, a growing body of evidence shows that virtually no vehicle, whether diesel or petrol, can comply with emissions levels achieved in testing when in real-world settings.

The FIA and its members have consistently supported the introduction of a robust test cycle and real driving emissions measurements. According to the ICCT, the gap in CO2 emissions on the road, as opposed to in the laboratory, has reached 38 per cent in 2013 compared to eight per cent in 2001. FIA Region I member, ADAC in Germany, has run independent ‘eco tests’, which frequently unveil particulate level variations from 7-20 times more than allowed in European legislation.

Motorists bear the burden of this gap and they are increasingly penalised by the authorities on particulate emissions as well. Legislators should limit the information asymmetry by: Implementing a better test procedure, the World Light Duty Procedure, by 2017; Making sure that real driving emissions legislation is implemented as soon as possible. Vehicles should not be allowed to diverge from the Euro 6 Legislation by more than 1.5 (the so-called conformity factor); providing consumers with clear energy efficiency labelling for new vehicles, based on realistic figures.

Jacob Bangsgaard, FIA Region I Director General, said running costs are of great concern to consumers so they should continue to demand that vehicle manufacturers develop solutions to ensure that vehicles become as efficient as possible on our roads. If the current system results in efficiency benefits being withheld from consumers, then policymakers must improve it. European drivers should decide which technology is best suited to their needs based on accurate information on what vehicles are emitting and consuming.”

Related Content

  • DG MOVE’s Christos Economou on the EU’s vision for road transport
    July 26, 2013
    Christos Economou, Deputy Head of Unit dealing with land transport within the European Commission’s DG MOVE, describes a new framework for road charging in Europe to Jason Barnes. Within the European Union (EU), two Directives shape the legislative framework on road charging. Directive 1999/62/EC sets up a number of rules to make sure that national road charging schemes do not distort competition on the internal market or discriminate between hauliers. It is misleadingly called ‘Eurovignette’ after the comm
  • Fiat brand records lowest CO2 emissions in Europe for 5th year running
    March 22, 2012
    For the fifth year running, Fiat Automobiles has recorded the lowest level of CO2 emissions by vehicles sold in Europe in 2011, with an average measurement of 118.2 g/km (4.9 g/km less than the 2010 average). Fiat also ranked first as a Group, with 123.3 g/km, an improvement of 2.6 g/km on last year. The record is certified by JATO Dynamics, a leading automotive consultancy and research firm. Over the last five years Fiat has reduced its average emissions by 14 per cent, from 137.3 to 118.2 g/km of CO2, sig
  • Millbrook Group opens new 4WD emissions test facility
    December 12, 2016
    Independent vehicle test, validation and engineering service provider Millbrook Group has opened its new, state-of-the-art four-wheel drive (4WD) climatic emissions chassis dynamometer. The facility operates at temperatures between minus 20 and plus 50 degrees centigrade and is used to measure vehicle emissions, CO2, fuel consumption, electric consumption and range and climatic performance of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles under repeatable conditions. It boasts a high performance fully t
  • C-ITS in Europe: It’s the governance, stupid!
    March 3, 2023
    Cooperative ITS (C-ITS) is coming – in fact, it’s already here. But who has responsibility for making it work? Richard Lax of Kapsch TrafficCom thinks there are lessons to be learned from the European experience