Half of approved diesel cars fail emissions test in software investigation: Netherlands

Nearly half of diesel cars were found to be using software that manipulated the emissions so they would be granted environmental certification, new research by the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) shows. The evidence could trigger massive automotive recalls across the country. The RDW tested 30 different models, of which 16 were using software that potentially causes fraudulent results, broadcaster NOS reported on Friday. The Suzuki Vitara test showed emissions sharply increase after 22 minutes of testing, NOS said. Official testing procedures in the Netherlands takes 20 minutes. Other vehicles implicated in the report include the Hyundai i40, Opel Mokka and the Volvo XC90. Automakers will now be called on to explain why the software is installed, and how it legitimately protects the engine. Any automaker that does not justify the software could be subjected to a vehicle recall, NOS stated. No vehicles have yet been recalled in France, Germany or the United Kingdom, whose national authorities uncovered similar results.