The Transport Select committee has launched an inquiry to examine whether the vehicle type approval testing is fit for purpose. Meanwhile the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has extended its inquiry into air quality to 18 December.
Announcing the new Transport Committee inquiry, its Chair, Louise Ellman, said: "The Volkswagen scandal has raised serious concerns about whether vehicle type approval testing is fit for purpose. We heard evidence in October that the gap between emissions detected in test conditions and those detected in the real world significant. The testing procedure is clearly inadequate.
"The EU is taking steps to move towards real world driving tests. The current proposals have been criticised for giving too much leeway to motor manufacturers. It is essential to examine these allegations and to ensure that the Government and EU take action to restore public confidence."
The Commitee would like to hear evidence on:
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The effectiveness of the current arrangements for type approval
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Negotiations on World-wide Light-vehicle Test Procedures and Real Driving Emissions
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The appropriateness of the current drive cycle and how a move to Real Driving Emissions tests will change testing
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The gap between emissions detected in test and real world conditions
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Comparisons with other jurisdictions (especially the US and markets in Asia)
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The range of metrics considered in type testing, whether the levels set represent a reasonable level of ambition and a reasonable pace of change, and the evidence base that underpins how levels have been set
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The role of type approval in driving change in levels of safety, emissions, and performance
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The appropriateness of the overall principles that determine the approach being taken on type approval
The deadline for submissions is 7 December 2015. However, the Committee will accept submissions after this date.
The EFRA Committee has extended the deadline for its inquiry to 18 December. The inquiry is looking into Defra's role and whether its proposals for reducing emissions of key pollutants, including NO2, go far enough and fast enough to meet EU standards? (For more details see the associated link.)
In a related development, the Environmental Audit Committee has published its response to Defra's consultation on air quality. It said that the Treasury should use Vehicle Excise Duty to create long-term incentives for drivers to buy cleaner hybrid and electric cars that minimise both CO2 and harmful pollutants. Introducing a national diesel scrappage scheme could also provide a short-cut to cleaning up the air in our cities.
Committee Chair, Huw Irranca-Davies MP said: "Tens of thousands of premature deaths are being caused in the UK every year by illegal levels of air pollution on our roads. Despite mounting evidence of the damage diesel fumes do to human health, changes to Vehicle Excise Duty announced in this year’s Budget maintains the focus only on CO2 emissions. This was a missed opportunity to also incentivise vehicles which emit less NO2."
The MPs welcomed the proposal to create a national framework of Clean Air Zones, something that the Environmental Audit Committee has called for on repeated occasions. However, the Committee warns that the power for individual Local Authorities to decide the access rules for particular vehicles could lead to confusing signals being sent to drivers across the country.
The Committee also raised concerns about the Government transferring responsibility on air quality to Local Authorities when they are facing reductions in funding. Huw Irranca-Davies MP concluded: "We are concerned that central government is trying to shift responsibility for meeting air quality targets to local authorities at a time when they are facing severe funding cuts. The Government has a duty to ensure that Local Authorities have the financial means at their disposal to adequately implement air quality action plans."
In a separate though related development, a series of questions have been raised by the MP Alex Cunningham about the potential for LPG (and bio-propane) to contribute to air quality improvements and climate targets. (See related LowCVP story.)