Carmakers Push for 3-Year Delay in Tougher EU Emission Tests

Europe's carmakers are lobbying through trade group ACEA for a three-year delay in implementing more stringent emission tests demanded by the European Commission, Reuters reports.

The EC wants to begin the new procedures, which will lower fuel economy ratings for virtually all cars, in September 2017. ACEA is asking for delay implementation until 2020, according to documents cited by the news service.

Critics have long complained that the current New European Driving Cycle procedures generate fuel economy ratings that are impossible to replicate in real-life driving. Environmentalists claim carmakers routinely "game" the tests with such ploys as running test on super-smooth surfaces to reduce tire friction and taping shut gaps between doors and their frames to enhance aerodynamics.

Carmakers are concerned that changing the test procedure will make it even more difficult for them to meet future EU emission and fuel economy standards. Current rules demand the industry meet an overall reduction in carbon dioxide emission from 130 g/km this year to 95 k/km by 2021.