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Car manufacturers modify new CO2 emission tests to reach the most stringent standards by 2025. The European Commission wrote in a letter to Member States
After Dieselgate at Volkswagen, Europe has imposed on car manufacturers new regulations in terms of CO2 emissions. By 2021, every car manufacturer has to bring the average CO2 emissions of its car fleet to 95 grams per kilometer. By 2025, these emissions will have to be reduced by an additional 15% and by 2030 these emissions will need to be reduced. If the builders do not participate in the reduction of emissions, they will be fined.
The new models must be homologated since September according to the so-called global harmonized light vehicle test procedure or the WLTP test. This should replace the unrealistic and outdated NEDC test, which is less in step with the actual driving situation.
In September, the WLTP test enters a new phase. The cars are still tested in a laboratory, but the values are no longer calculated on a basic model. Manufacturers must test both a "bare" base model and a "full-option" model emitting more CO2 emissions.
The European Commission has discovered that automakers are changing these new tests and deliberately inflating WLTP values. it will be easier to emit 15% less CO2 by 2025. The 2021 emission is used as a starting point for the 2025 emission standard. The higher it is, the easier it is to reach the 2025 stricter standard.
The Commission claims to have evidence that some car manufacturers can achieve up to half of this mandatory 15% reduction in emissions by only exacerbating their WLTP values.
According to research, car manufacturers manipulate the results of their tests by stopping the Stop-Start function, by accelerating (and therefore consuming more fuel) and discharging the battery so that it is charged by the alternator during the test. the car therefore consumes more fuel. The search does not mention the names of the manufacturers.
By manipulating emissions tests, automakers can achieve up to half of the required environmental standard without additional effort.
The Commission also suspects that manufacturers are cooperating to strengthen their WLTP values. This makes sense, because if only a car manufacturer inflates its values, it has a competitive disadvantage.
At the same time, manufacturers are lobbying their governments to adjust the tax system. With the new tests, CO2 values are easily 15-20% higher, according to estimates. Since many taxes are calculated on CO2 emissions, the traffic tax on these cars is likely to increase.
Emissions regulation is extremely important for the way automakers will manage their fleet in the future. It determines the strength and speed with which automakers invest in hybrids and environmentally friendly electric cars.
The Commission has raised its concerns to the European Parliament and the EU Member States and is considering making amendments to the WLTP legislation. The consequences of the research are unclear. European consumer organizations have denounced for years the gap between the emission figures of cars under laboratory conditions and those of the real environment.
Last month, the boss of Audi, Rupert Stadler, was arrested for involvement in the harassment with emission of diesel cars. He was VW's first trusted man to be arrested in the diesel scandal. Dieselgate broke into the Volkswagen parent company three years ago.
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