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Written question asked by Richard Burden (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 November 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 November 2015 (named day). It was answered by Andrew Jones (Conservative) on Monday, 16 November 2015 on behalf of the Department for Transport.


Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Statement of 10 November 2015, HCWS301, (a) how many Volkswagon vehicles have been retested to date, (b) how many such vehicles he expects to be retested and (c) what the findings were of the retest in relation to discrepancies in (i) nitrogen oxide and (ii) carbon dioxide emission figures; what recent estimate he has made of the cost of the retest programme; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

Two Skoda vehicles (from the Volkswagen Group), of a type identified by the manufacturer as having defeat devices fitted, have been tested. These tests were to determine the potential for a wider test programme to identify the presence of a defeat device.


We are not planning to retest any further Volkswagen group vehicles that are known to have defeat devices fitted but the Vehicle Certification Agency will test vehicles presented by Skoda (and at Skoda’s expense) to verify that the technical solution proposed ensures that the affected vehicles operate in accordance with the regulatory requirements.


We do not have firm numbers for these preliminary tests in relation to nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide as they were not designed to provide absolute measurement, but to validate a test procedure for the wider programme.


We have approved a budget of £675,000 from public funds to ensure that this important work can proceed. However, we have agreed with ministers in Germany and in France that we will collaborate to avoid duplication of testing and secure best value for the taxpayer.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
16052
Session
2015-16
Related items
Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions
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A level (and AS) qualifications
Thursday, 1 December 2016
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects
Finance Exhaust emissions Motor vehicles Testing Carbon emissions Volkswagen
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk