“Good to see tougher measures on testing fuel emissions being introduced” – Which? response to stricter EU emissions test being introduced
Which? executive director, Richard Lloyd, said:
“It’s good to see tougher measures on testing fuel emissions being introduced, as our research consistently shows that the official EU test used by carmakers is seriously in need of updating. We now need the new fuel economy test put in place, so drivers can be confident that claims made by car manufacturers are accurate.”
Background
- More than 69,000 people have signed up to our Come Clean On Fuel Claims campaign. Which? wants the Government to:
- Set out a timetable for its testing, outlining when UK consumers can expect preliminary and final findings and conclusions
- Demonstrate how this investigation will be genuinely independent, including the role of the Vehicle Certification Agency and the contribution of manufacturers (including randomised car testing)
- Clarify whether the testing regime for Volkswagen vehicle emissions has been manipulated or loopholes exploited specifically in the UK and whether this extends to both fuel efficiency tests and all car manufacturers
- Ensure that the process of product recalls and redress is tackled for all affected consumers quickly and easily
- Set out how the Government will work with the European Commission to implement new tests for car emissions and fuel economy before 2017
- Our latest survey shows public trust in the car industry has been badly damaged as eight in 10 people (79%) expect more manufacturers to be drawn in to the defeat device scandal involving VW. More than three quarters (78%) agreed that Ministers should ensure that new tests are brought in as soon as possible on both fuel emissions and fuel economy, and said that it is critical that any investigation is independent of the car manufacturers (82%).
Methodology: Populus, on behalf of Which?, interviewed a representative sample of 2127 UK adults online between 9th and 11th October 2015. 1658 respondents are car owners or have at least one car in their household. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all UK adults.