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Opel Tells Regulators Its Diesel Emission Shut-Off System Is Legal
Opel AG says the diesel engines in its Zafira minivan are legal, even though they use software to shut off emission controls under certain circumstances.
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Opel AG says the diesel engines in its Zafira minivan are legal, even though they use software to shut off emission controls under certain circumstances.
Regulators have permitted shutoff systems designed solely to protect the engine during narrow cases of high engine speed and/or certain atmospheric pressures.
But German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt tells reporters that ministry researchers question whether the shutoffs are “completely justified” by worries about engine durability. He adds that ministry discussions with Opel on Wednesday revealed obvious differences in interpretation about the emission regulations.
The ministry has given Opel 14 days in which to return with technical details about its shutoff system, including the software used. Dobrindt says the carmaker also was asked to explain whether diesels in the Opel Astra sedan use a similar system. Opel says it is cooperating fully with the agency's requests.
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