EU Members Sharply Divided Over Real-World Emission Tests

Members of the European Union remain deeply divided over how to proceed with a European Commission plan to check emission levels achieved in government certification tests against real-world performance, Reuters reports.

The news service cites government position papers that show sharp differences in opinion about the pace of adopting the EC proposal. Technical advisors were to meet on Wednesday in an attempt to agree on a draft law to implement the commission’s plan.

The EC’s proposal was sparked by tests showing the allowable nitrogen oxide emission level of 80 milligrams per kilometer for passenger vehicles was sometimes exceeded by a factor of three by diesel-powered vehicles on the road.

The EC would limit the gap in NOx emissions between lab tests and road tests to 60% in 2017, narrowing to 20% by September 2019.

Denmark and other members back the EC timetable. Germany wants a longer transition, declaring “the diesel engine should be preserved as a powertrain option” for mass-market cars. The U.K. recommends further analysis before any decision. Spain says hurting diesel sales would make it hard for EU members to meet the region’s carbon dioxide standards.

Analysts note that opposition to the EC timetable is directly related to each country’s investment in making and selling diesel-power vehicles.