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.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Parliamentary council urges UK gov to support EC safety proposals
    May 18, 2018
    A key UK safety body is calling for legislative action on European Commission vehicle safety proposals. The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) wants the EC’s third mobility package to be adopted by the UK government. These measures are part of the Juncker Commission’s initiative to implement less polluting vehicles in Europe and provide more advanced technological solutions. This package outlines a new road safety policy framework for 2020-2030 and is accompanied by two legislativ
  • New clean diesel cars and light trucks to ‘help US achieve greenhouse gas reductions’
    July 25, 2016
    Advances in emissions control technology in clean diesel passenger cars and light duty pickup trucks will have a positive effect on efforts to reduce future Greenhouse Gas Emissions, according to the federal government’s newly-released Draft Technical Assessment Report (TAR). The Draft TAR, which covers vehicle model years 2022-2025, confirms that automotive manufacturers are introducing new technology to market at a rapid pace, and predicts that the MY 2022-2025 standards are achievable with a wide ran
  • Emissions reductions targets to have major impact on transport
    October 28, 2015
    As bold moves aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions have been introduced in California, David Crawford looks at the ramifications for transportation. California Governor Jerry Brown’s recent dramatic raising of the bar on emissions reduction policy for the state has won him praise from Japan, Australia, Europe and the secretariat of the critical UN conference on climate change being held in Paris in November/December 2015. His April 2015 executive order aimed at bringing emissions to 40% below 1990 lev
  • Agencies in pursuit of high-speed WIM accuracy
    April 20, 2017
    Alan Dron looks at where WIM is heading in the near future. As Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) systems grow in sophistication and accuracy, they are increasingly being used in more active roles to help ensure road safety through enforcement action against overweight vehicles.