Tories reveal plans to prosecute car giants that cheat emissions tests
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Cheating car firms which fit devices to fiddle emissions tests could face unlimited fines under tough new rules.
Transport Minister Jesse Norman ordered a crackdown on manufacturers which develop so-called “defeat devices” to get round strict regulations aimed at tackling pollution.
The planned shake-up follows the Volkswagen emissions scandal, which affected more than 1.2 million vehicles in the UK and 11 million across the globe.
Under latest plans, guilty companies could face criminal charges and huge fines for selling new vehicles containing software designed to deceive legal tests.
Announcing a consultation, Transport Minister Jesse Norman said: “We continue to take the unacceptable actions of Volkswagen extremely seriously, and we are framing new measures to crack down on emissions cheats in future.
“Those who cheat should be held to proper account in this country, legally and financially, for their actions.”
The clampdown cannot be used retrospectively, meaning Volkswagen will escape punishment under the fresh regime for past offences.
(Image: Getty)
Officials said the new powers “would go above and beyond European requirements” so the Government would be able to prosecute any manufacturer who cheats on the required tests for their vehicle.
Currently, only manufacturers which “obtained or sought to obtain type approval in the UK” can face action, according to government officials.
They want powers to prosecute car makers, importers and dealers which place a vehicle using a defeat device on the British market.
Diesel emissions have been under the spotlight since the Volkswagen scandal exploded in 2015, hitting customers' confidence in manufacturers' tests.
In September 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency found many VW cars on sale in the US featured a "defeat device" in diesel engines that could detect when they were being tested.
The software changed the performance to improve results – convincing officials standards were being met.
The German car giant later admitted cheating emissions tests in the US.
(Image: Getty)
Giving evidence to MPs in 2015, then Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said Volkswagen deserved to suffer “very substantial damage” for cheating emission tests.
He told the Commons Transport Committee: “They have behaved in an appalling way.
“These devices were made illegal in 1998 and it is unbelievable to think a company the size and reputation of VW have been doing something like this.
“They are going to suffer very substantial damage as a result and they deserve to.”
Earlier this week it emerged the firm tested emission fumes on monkeys.
Ten Java monkeys were locked in small, airtight chambers for four hours at a time and exposed to diesel exhausts.
The animals were left to watch cartoons as they breathed in diesel fumes from a VW Beetle in the May 2015 experiments.
Following the emissions cheating scandal, the Department for Transport set up a programme to examine a range of best-selling diesel vehicles in the UK.
No other manufacturer tested was embroiled in a similar con to Volkswagen.
Volkswagen paid the British taxpayer £1.1million for the costs of the independent programme.
In contrast, the firm faces an estimated £14billion bill ($20billion) in the US for fines, compensation payments ad recalling affected vehicles.
It includes a £1.96billion ($2.8billion) criminal fine.
The Department for Transport also announced plans aimed at improving air quality, cutting carbon emissions and boosting road safety.
They include ensuring consumer information on the fuel economy of new cars includes results from beefed-up lab tests; moves to improve the environmental performance and safety of specialist and modified vehicles; and stricter rules on selling vehicles already in stock even if they fail to meet latest standards.
Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers, said, “Every new car sold in the UK meets the strictest of regulations governing everything from safety to emissions standards and how vehicles are tested and approved for sale.
"Government’s own testing of vehicles on the road has consistently shown them to be fully compliant, and we are pleased that government recognises that manufacturers have been rigorous in meeting the standards.
"There are already severe penalties for any manufacturer involved in any kind of misconduct in the type approval process conducted here in the UK and the government is now looking to extend this to all vehicles wherever they have been approved.
"All new cars meet the toughest emission standards and government now has more powers to conduct in-service testing so consumers can be confident they are buying the cleanest and safest cars in history.”