German gov't blocks EU reform for emission tests

The German government has blocked key aspects of a reform to the emissions testing procedure proposed by the European Union (EU), according to a report by the Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

The reform includes stronger control mechanisms over national controlling authorities and financial penalties for car manufacturers.

The German government has not responded to the report.

According to a new diesel emission test series conducted by the German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA), modern diesel cars in Germany exceed current nitrogen oxide emission limits.

Other European car-producing countries such as Spain, Italy and the Czech Republic also oppose the reforms proposed by the EU, according to the report. But the Brussels-based Transport and Environment Organization warned that some governments act more on behalf of their industry than in the public interest.

The average Euro-6 diesel car emits 507 mg of nitrogen oxide per km. The limit set for Euro-6 cars, the lowest emission rating in the EU implemented for new cars in September 2015, is 80 mg per km.

Environmental protection agencies are demanding more realistic car emissions testing. The emission limits only have to be met in laboratory tests, while actual emissions under real-life driving conditions are often much higher. The UBA tested diesel cars at a range of temperatures common in Germany, which showed emissions at cold temperatures exceeded the limits by an even greater extent. Endit