Volkswagen attacks AAA in latest emissions battle

The green car battle in the lead-up to the federal election has ramped up a level with Volkswagen attacking the head of the Australian Automobile Association.

The AAA is already at the heart of a battle between the major parties over the cost of the opposition Labor party’s plan to impose a 105g/km CO2 cap on all cars by 2025, part of a program which includes mandatory installation of electric car plug-in facilities in all new homes, after providing the research and modelling which showed it could potentially cost $3 billion in non-compliance penalties.

Now the AAA and its CEO Michael Bradley are under fire after criticising the lack of on-road emissions and fuel economy testing in Australia in the wake of a $854 million fine imposed by German prosecutors on Porsche in a follow-up to the ‘dieselgate’ investigation.

Bradley says emissions cheating software misrepresents vehicle emissions and also results in misleading fuel consumption figures that are costing new-car buyers more than $600 a year in extra fuel costs.

“The latest and previous Volkswagen Group infringements are extreme cases of rigged emissions testing results, but standard laboratory tests of driving emissions also provide misleading results for many vehicles,” says Bradley.

“Many motorists have bought vehicles based on such misleading information.”

Volkswagen is accusing Bradley of a double standard because the AAA has not supported the introduction of low-sulphur fuel in Australia, something considered vital by many makers as they face a new round of European emission standards that require improved fuel to prevent the poisoning of petrol particulate filters.

“In one breath Michael Bradley holds forth on vehicle emissions, in the next he opposes the introduction of low-sulphur petrol until 2027. He wants to be the emissions czar yet sides with oil companies in ensuring that Australians are stuck with third-world fuel quality,” Volkswagen Group Australia spokesman Paul Pottinger told carsales.com.au.

Fuel quality is looming as a major challenge for the car industry, with many new-generation engines unable to cope with the high sulphur levels in anything short of costly premium unleaded fuel.

“The government’s decision to postpone the introduction of low sulphur petrol until 2027, one supported by the AAA, means that from this moment Australia is already missing out on the latest and most efficient petrol engines,” says Pottinger.

“These are not compatible with Australia’s sulphurous fuel. Australia remains mired in Euro 5 and the outmoded NEDC testing cycle while much of the world has moved onto Euro 6 and WLTP testing.

“The consequence of inaction over conventional vehicles is that such a backwards market as Australia is becoming may not be prioritised for new technology of all types, including EVs.

“Volkswagen supported the introduction of WLTP cycle, which better reflect real world conditions.”