EU car makers ‘fully supportive’ of real driving emissions tests
Jonathan Lopez
25-Apr-2016
LONDON (ICIS)–The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) on Monday said car makers across the EU are willing to take on the “challenge” of introducing costly real driving emissions (RDE) tests for CO2 emissions and called for their “prompt” introduction.
According to ACEA, the current test cycle, known as New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), has become “obsolete” as it was designed in the 1980s.
“This is why we have been advocating for many years for an updated laboratory test – WLTP [Worldwide harmonised Light vehicles Test Procedures] – as well as an additional new test to measure pollutant emissions on the road,” said Erik Jonnaert, ACEA’s secretary general.
Following revelations in September 2015 surrounding German automobile major Volkswagen having manipulated software in millions of cars to pass emissions tests without meeting the required standards, regulators started pushing for tests on the roads, instead of laboratories, to prove a vehicles’ real environmental standards.
As a consequence, the European Commission announced the introduction of RDE, although the procedures are half-way through, said ACEA, and manufacturers are demanding more clarity on the issue.
“The approval of the second RDE package by the European Parliament in February is essential to enable manufacturers to start preparing for the introduction of the new emissions test, but two key packages are still missing and are urgently needed to complete the legislation,” it said.
ACEA’s Jonnaert added: “RDE represents a tremendous effort for Europe’s car manufacturers, both in terms of investments and production, but our industry will take up this challenge.”
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