Europe echoes US in call for real-world emissions testing

The need for real-world testing of emissions and fuel efficiency has been debated for years. The European Commission is under pressure from environmental groups to make the testing more transparent, while OEMs are arguing that they’ve already had it tough with CO2 limits. Now, EU regulators are evaluating draft legislation that would require a vehicle’s fuel usage to be tested on real roads, rather than in a manufacturing plant. It is rumoured that a new real-world testing method could be proposed before the end of 2014, and it is hoped the new legislation will prevent OEMs from exaggerating fuel efficiency and emissions figures.