EU
-
The Volkswagen diesel scandal has led to much greater scrutiny on the methods regulatory agencies use to test vehicle emissions, particularly in Europe. Even before news of Volkswagen's diesel "defeat device" software broke, the European fuel-economy testing cycle was known to be overly optimistic, producing results that buyers could not replicate in real-world driving. Now, the European Union is putting pressure on its members over lax national enforcement of emission-testing standards. DON'T MISS: EU starts legal action against Germany, UK for failing to act on diesel emissions (Dec 2016)...
-
EU fuel-economy ratings move further from reality; Mercedes tops offender list
Some Mercedes-Benz models return 50-percent lower fuel economy than EU ratings, according to a new study.
Stephen Edelstein -
EU cleaner-car proposals slammed for too few electric cars, too much biodiesel
The auto industry and advocacy group Transport & Environment both criticized a new EU plan.
Stephen Edelstein -
EU starts legal action against Germany, UK for failing to act on diesel emissions
The European Commission alleges certain nations don't enforce emissions standards strictly enough.
Stephen Edelstein -
Could an EU switch to on-road emission tests allow more pollution?
Leaked European emissions-testing rules give generous leeway to carmakers.
Stephen Edelstein -
Emission debate in Europe: should new EU agency test, or each nation?
A European committee on emissions proposes a new agency to take over responsibility for testing from individual nations.
Stephen Edelstein -
India and the European Union pushed the Paris climate agreement past the tipping point for ratification.
-
German upper house asks EU to ban new gas, diesel car sales by 2030
Last week, the German Federal Council adopted a bipartisan measure that would ban the sale of new vehicles with internal-combustion engines in the country after 2030. While its actions only apply within Germany, language in the measure asks the European Union to ensure that sales of such cars are...
John Voelcker -
Every diesel brand in Europe emits more than VW, says new report
A new study indicates the majority of European-market diesel cars exceed emissions limits in real-world driving.
Stephen Edelstein -
European electric and plug-in hybrid sales for Jan-June 2016
The Renault Zoe was the best-selling electric car in Europe through June, while the Mitsubishi Outlander was the best-selling plug-in hybrid.
Stephen Edelstein -
EU proposes deep cuts to vehicle emissions, ignores ships, airplanes
Proposed new emissions rules have drawn criticism from auto-industry lobby and environmental groups.
Stephen Edelstein -
EU, consumer groups pressure VW for diesel cheat compensation in Europe
The EU government is working with national consumer groups to get compensation for Volkswagen diesel owners.
Stephen Edelstein -
The Europe Union may soon enact stricter emissions standards for cars and vans.
-
As VW pledges more electric cars, it supports biofuels as alternative
Are there many different ways to reduce the carbon associated with road vehicles? Or are electric vehicles the best and only viable way to proceed? That's the debate at the heart of two different reports on Volkswagen's recent actions in Europe this week. DON'T MISS: VW settlement with EPA...
John Voelcker -
EU Commission Accepts 'Flawed' Emission Rules For On-Road Testing
New European emissions-testing rules would allow carmakers to exceed legal limits of nitrogen oxides.
Stephen Edelstein -
Euro Parliament Rebuffs Carmakers' Request To Exceed Emission Limits
The European Parliament voted against proposed emissions rules that would have given automakers significant leeway to exceed legal limits.
Stephen Edelstein -
New Investigations Of Bosch, EU Loans In VW Diesel Emission Scandal
German prosecutors are investigating Bosch to see if it helped VW configure "defeat device" software.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW's European Efficiency Issue: Only 'Slight Deviations' On 9 Cars
Volkswagen says a previously-reported issue with fuel-economy figures is less significant than originally thought.
Stephen Edelstein -
The official press release from the European Union sounds as though Wednesday's vote on new emission-testing rules makes it tougher for automakers to cheat as Volkswagen admitted doing with its 2.0-liter diesel engines. Indeed, the new rules add on-road tests of emissions in real-world driving to those tests performed in laboratories on dynamometers, or "rolling roads," which are widely acknowledged to be unrealistic--and easy to game. But the EU also gave automakers more leeway to exceed the legal limits for nitrogen oxides than the makers said would be necessary. DON'T MISS: Are 'Clean...
-
VW: Newest Diesel Engines Had No 'Defeat' Software, Legal In Europe
One of the many complications of the VW diesel emission scandal is that the 482,000 affected cars in the U.S. encompass three different types of engine and emission-control system. In Germany, Volkswagen has investigated its newest generation of 2.0-liter diesel engines to find out if they too...
John Voelcker -
European Makers: NOx Limits Must Rise For Real-World Emissions Tests
Carmakers in Europe, Asia, and North America have met exhaust emission limits for decades, as measured by strict standardized vehicle tests on dynamometers, or "rolling roads." With the Volkswagen diesel scandal now entering its third week, U.S. and European regulators plan to test more cars under...
John Voelcker -
VW Emission Cheating Could Kill Diesel Passenger Cars In U.S., Even Globally
We're just four days into the Volkswagen diesel-emission cheating scandal, but it's not too early to ask about its ultimate ramifications. The 482,000 VW and Audi cars being investigated by the EPA are a majority of all the diesel passenger cars sold in the U.S. since 2008, when new and tougher...
John Voelcker -
2016 Toyota Prius: Official Auto Show Debut At Frankfurt Motor Show
It was actually introduced to the world last week, but the 2016 Toyota Prius hybrid made its official auto-show debut yesterday at the huge Frankfurt Motor Show. A large crowd of journalists from around the world crowded around the covered car, eager to see in person what so far they'd only seen in...
John Voelcker -
EU To Toughen Emission Testing, Replicate 'Real-World' Driving
New EU emission testing rules are set to take effect in 2017.
Stephen Edelstein