U.K. Seeks to Levy Criminal Charges When Carmakers Cheat on Emissions

The U.K. wants power to order recalls for vehicles that emit illegal levels of pollution—and the authority to levy criminal charges against the carmakers that built them.

The plan could be announced on Tuesday by the Dept. for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, according to the Financial Times. It says the policy is likely to be a part of the Transport Dept.’s long-term “Road to Zero” strategy for achieving zero emissions from vehicles.

The proposal targets the use of illegal software to cheat on emission tests and allow cars to emit excessive levels of nitrogen oxides in everyday use. FT says interest in tougher laws was sparked by Volkswagen AG’s diesel emission cheating scandal, legal pressure from an environmental law group to take action and criticism from the EU for its lack of progress in controlling air pollution.

FT notes that both regulatory goals will be difficult. It cites the challenges of proving cheating in vehicles that are produced by foreign-based companies in other countries. The report adds that the U.K. also would need new laws that enable the country to bring criminal charges against suspected wrongdoer manufacturers.