AAA initiates real-world emissions testing

The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) has announced plans for a half-million dollar pilot programme, testing the exhaust emissions of 30 popular vehicles available in Australia.

Prompted by recent emissions scandals overseas – with a flow-on effect in Australia – the AAA has engaged ABMARC, an engineering consultancy based in Melbourne to test 30 vehicles, with the first 10 to be examined before the end of August.

“In the wake of the Volkswagen scandal and subsequent concerns raised about other vehicle makers and lab-based emissions testing, the AAA has decided to test the on-road emissions of a number of Australia’s top selling vehicles,” said Michael Bradley, Chief Executive of the AAA.

According to the AAA's press release, ABMARC has the "only portable emissions measurement system compliant with US EPA and European Commission standards" in Australia. Bradley used the opportunity presented to take a swipe at what the AAA regards as government inaction.

“It’s fallen to the AAA to do this on behalf of Australian motorists because the Australian Government does no testing to ensure car manufacturers comply with emissions regulations of the Australian Design Rules," Bradley was quoted as saying in the press release.

"And because our government relies on lab testing done internationally, we do not know the real-world level of emissions produced by most models sold in Australia.

“It’s very important vehicles deliver the fuel economy, environmental and performance outcomes promised. Where this hasn’t occurred we’ve seen Australians dealing with uncertainty, inconvenience, potential loss of vehicle values and cars which may cost more to run.”

The AAA fully expects the government to take a tougher line with car companies, as Bradley went on to explain.

“Australians deserve to know the vehicles they drive have been independently tested in real driving conditions on Australian roads. The AAA has led the way in running this pilot but we now look to the Australian Government to step up to protect Australian consumers and the environment,” he said.

Plans are in place to reveal the results of the testing later this year, and the AAA also intends to test Volkswagen diesels that were caught up in the Dieselgate affair – both before and after the importer's fix for the 'defeat device' software.