Germany Calls for Clearer Emission Test Rules for EU

Germany’s transport minister tells a European Parliament panel that the EU should clarify pollution test procedures to end the use of devices that turn off diesel emission controls under normal driving conditions.

Alexander Dobrindt says the devices, which can be used to “game” the EU test procedure, should be allowed only if the manufacturers can prove them necessary to protect the engine. He describes current regulations as “very open to interpretation” about the circumstances that allow bypassing emission equipment.

Germany claims Fiat Chrysler Automobile NV’s Fiat 500X diesel supermini violates EU standards in a way similar to that of the 11 million diesels Volkswagen AG admits were fitted with devices to evade emission laws. He says General Motors Co.’s Opel unit has been doing the same thing for some of its diesels.

FCA Chief Technical Officer Harald Wester told the European Parliament panel earlier this week that the 500X uses a switch-off device solely to protect the engine as permitted by current rules. But Dobrindt reports a “growing understanding” among EU member state regulators of the need to update the test standards.