Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) urged the EU Commission and member states to improve tests and checks on new cars on EU roads to decrease diesel cars’ nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, the Parliament announced on Tuesday.
'The fact that diesel cars’ NOx emissions are much higher in real driving conditions than in laboratory tests was known to EU member states and the Commission over a decade ago,' the MEPs argued.
The Commission and member states failed to act appropriately to protect air quality and public health, according to Parliament members.
Therefore, MEPs recommended to now act swiftly to improve tests and checks on new cars on EU roads and amend EU “type approval” rules to make environmental and safety testing more independent, with stricter oversight of cars already on the road.
The non-binding recommendations to the Commission and the Council were approved by 585 votes to 77, with 19 abstentions.
By Ebru Sengul
Anadolu Agency
ebrusengul@aa.com.tr