VW scandal: EU deal allows vehicles to exceed pollution limits

[webfact]

VW scandal: EU deal allows vehicles to exceed pollution limits



"More or less, we are legalising cars to pollute more, while it's a loss for democracy, air pollution and our citizens health"

BRUSSELS: -- EU politicians have backed a compromise deal which will allow vehicles to exceed official pollution limits.

It flies in the face of calls for more radical reform in the wake of the Volkswagen emissions test scandal.

The vote only narrowly rejected a proposal to block the move.

Volkswagen’s admission in September that it had cheated US diesel emissions tests sparked a political storm in Europe, where around half of vehicles run on diesel.

The European Commission, the EU executive, had already begun trying to close a known gap between laboratory testing of new vehicles and the real world, where toxic emissions have surged to more than seven times official limits.

But, according to the Reuters news agency, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) said in a position paper that the Commission’s reform plans were too challenging for current diesel models and could threaten technology as a whole, jeopardising jobs across the region.

EU member states reached a compromise in October – now backed by the European Parliament – that cuts emissions, but still allows a 50 percent overshoot of the legal limit for nitrogen oxide of 80 milligrams/kilometre.

“It’s a disappointing vote. It’s clear that the car lobby won. I mean we knew they need to have new tests. But they used this momentum to weaken the target,” said Bas Eickhout, a Dutch Green MEP.

“So yes, we have better tests, but we are even doubling now the emission target. So more or less, we are legalising cars to pollute more, while it’s a loss for democracy, air pollution and our citizens health.”

Diesel is particularly associated with emissions of nitrogen oxide, linked to lung disease and premature deaths.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-02-04

[northernboy]

Nothing like lobbying to get a job done.

Now lets hear about Thai corruption being bad. When the EU allows this to happen, due to possible loss of jobs, Who are we kidding it is about power and who as it and wants to keep it and the money that it moves around.

[Baerboxer]

Nothing like lobbying to get a job done.

Now lets hear about Thai corruption being bad. When the EU allows this to happen, due to possible loss of jobs, Who are we kidding it is about power and who as it and wants to keep it and the money that it moves around.

VW break the law, knowingly and deliberately break the law, and set out to lie and deceive to conceal breaking the law.

So what to the EU politicians do - change the law and allow them to carry on.

EU, democracy and justice for the people, my arse. Hypocrisy and lies, most certainly. Run by German businesses and politicians, for German interests.

[Credo]

I wonder if the same would have happened if it was Chevrolet or Ford?

Does this mean that all the other car manufacturers can exceed the limits, or do they have to cheat first?

[Ulic]

The whole thing is a travesty and a scam. All the companies with both gas and diesel engines manipulate the results and submit there own passing grades to regulators. A government agency for Europe should conduct the tests with no manipulation. No special over inflated tires, no taping the seams and grill, no disconnecting the

electronics, no disconnecting the alternator, no specially trained drivers. Straight up, real tests. The car companies can pay to have there cars tested and results certified accurate and real. Let the chips fall where they may on whether they meet government mandated standards. Cars that do not pass can have a special tax charge to incentivise customers to make other choices. What they do now is ridiculous, cars do not come close to the mileage results posted on the window when you by the car.

[Grouse]

Get real.

All modern engines adjust a whole range of parameters according to driving conditions

Sure, you want low emissions, or auto off, at traffic lights in town. But, with a full car hammering up an incline on the motorway, you want maximum power and bugger the emissions

VW just arranged for minimum emissions when under test station conditions. Smart!

You will never get my V8 off me unless you prize it from my cold dead hands!

Edited February 4, 2016 by Grouse

[MJP]

Get real.

All modern engines adjust a whole range of parameters according to driving conditions

Sure, you want low emissions, or auto off, at traffic lights in town. But, with a full car hammering up an incline on the motorway, you want maximum power and bugger the emissions

VW just arranged for minimum emissions when under test station conditions. Smart!

You will never get my V8 off me unless you prize it from my cold hands!

Aye! Exactly.

The EU/other green nutters had set unachievable limits in the first place, hence all the "fiddling".

What do people want? Unachievable limits and bankrupt manufacturers/mass layoffs or sensibility?