‘No evidence’ of defeat devices in cars other than VWs, DfT says

The Department for Transport (DfT) has found ‘no evidence’ of car manufacturers fitting devices designed to defeat approved emissions testing, apart from the Volkswagen Group (VW).

The DfT launched an investigation into the possible manipulation of emission controls, following the VW diesel emissions scandal, where the manufacturer admitted to using software to cheat emissions tests.

The results of the investigation found no evidence that other manufacturers were using similar manipulation strategies, however, NOx emissions were found to be much higher in real world conditions and on the test track than they are in laboratory conditions.

37 models were tested in the UK to make up a representative selection of the UK’s top selling diesel vehicles. All 37 vehicles were found to fail the two most recent nitrogen oxide emissions standards when tested in real-world conditions, with average emissions being five times higher than the limit.

The DfT has described existing lab tests as ‘inadequate’, and will will present the research published today to European Research for Mobile Emission Sources, the body responsible for collating vehicle emission data, to inform their updated emissions factors later this year.

New tests designed to better reflect real world driving conditions are set to come into effect from next year across Europe.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Our tests published today have not detected evidence of manipulation of emissions lab tests as used by the VW Group by any other car manufacturer.

“The tests do show the widespread use of engine management systems to prevent engine damage which can lead to higher emissions in real world temperature conditions cooler than those in the approved lab test.

“The UK has been leading in Europe in pushing for real world emissions tests which will address this problem. Real world tests will be introduced next year to reduce harmful emissions, improve air quality and give consumers confidence in the performance of their cars.”

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