Renault may have cheated on diesel emissions tests

According to Reuters, Renault may face a lawsuit for diesel emissions cheating. The French Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (DG CC RF) recently submitted a report to prosecutors, pointing out that Renault may have cheated in diesel vehicle emissions tests.

The French government pointed out that the DG CC RF has submitted detailed evidence to the procuratorate, suspecting that Renault 's engine technology did not comply with the relevant legal requirements. The French government issued a statement on November 9, stating that "it will now be up to the court to decide whether to conduct further investigations." The office of the prosecutor's office in Nandelle, west of Paris, has not yet commented on the matter . The government statement also pointed out that the procuratorate will decide whether to appoint a judge to conduct a formal investigation after a preliminary investigation. The DG CC RF is currently investigating other car companies.

According to an official familiar with the investigation, the evidence now before prosecutors is mainly found at Renault sites and in investigations of Renault employees. In addition, the investigation department also conducted separate tests on Renault vehicles and obtained relevant evidence.

After the incident, Renault issued a brief statement saying that its engines strictly comply with European laws. Renault said that its vehicles are not equipped with cheating software that violates emission standards, and all vehicles comply with relevant laws and regulations. " Renault once again reiterates its position and will use its due rights to protect the interests of the company, employees and shareholders."

Renault is one of many carmakers that has equipped its models with equipment to reduce the efficiency of nitrogen oxide mitigation technology . Renault and other carmakers have come under scrutiny following the Volkswagen Group's emissions cheating scandal. Renault may be the only carmaker to face a criminal investigation in France.

After the Volkswagen scandal, the French environmental protection department randomly tested cars in an attempt to find the difference between the test results and the actual results. Investigations have shown that the emissions of Renault and some other cars on the road are several times higher than the test results. French officials pointed out in April this year that the actual emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides of some test vehicles on the road were much higher than the test emissions, but no "cheating" devices were found at the time . However, at the beginning of this year, car companies such as Renault , Opel and Fiat had informed the relevant French investigation departments that the equipment they equipped in their respective models was in full compliance with laws and regulations. But the conclusion given by the inspection team was "pending verification."

In government emissions tests, cheating devices are calibrated to be installed on test vehicles to meet emissions standards, but are not installed on cars on the road. However, when these devices are used to protect the engine, they are legal, which is a major loophole in European law.

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