Illegal practice by Volkswagen in order to present reduced vehicle-generated pollutants during tests

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discovered during tests that Volkswagen diesel vehicles put on the American market between 2009 and 2015 used sophisticated software algorithms, which reduced generated pollutants during tests, thus deceiving regulatory authorities and consumers. Volkswagen itself has admitted using these illegal software algorithms.

This is an issue of great importance for the protection of European consumers, of the environment and, above all, human health.

In view of the above, will the Commission say:

Source: European Parliament

Answer to a written question – Illegal practice by Volkswagen in order to present reduced vehicle-generated pollutants during tests – E-013076/2015

29 July 2016 E-013076/2015 Answer given by Ms Bieńkowska on behalf of the Commission The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its reply to Written Question E-013699/2015(1). Since then Germany and the UK have published the results of their investigations on NOx from diesel vehicles and France published partially their results. The first two reports confirm the presence of a defeat device in the relevant Volkswagen-group vehicles. They also indicate a number of other auxiliary emission strategies of other car manufacturers. The Commission is currently reviewing the results. (1) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/plenary/en/parliamentary-questions.html