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EU Knew in 2012 that Carmakers Were “Gaming” Emission Tests
European Commission regulators were aware four years ago that carmakers were using a testing loophole to manipulate diesel emissions, the Financial Times reports.
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European Commission regulators were aware four years ago that carmakers were using a testing loophole to manipulate diesel emissions, the Financial Times reports.
The newspaper cites an email by a scientist at the EC’s Joint Research Center in Italy. The message says nitrogen oxides emissions from an unnamed car increased sharply when the car was started at temperatures below 20°C or above 30°C. The engine’s NOx emission controls were “fully activated only in a very specific window,” thereby evading the spirit of the regulations.
The EC confirms the accurate of the message. But it tells FT the disclosure doesn’t prove cheating because “gaming” the test procedure isn’t a legally defined term.
The disclosure has prompted criticism that the practice was ignored by European regulators. The manipulations came to general attention only when it was discovered a year ago in the U.S., a minor market for diesels.
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