KBA tests on the VW emissions scandal: Greenpeace forces KBA to publish

KBA test results from 2015

The results show the emission levels of 53 vehicle models in the New European Driving Cycle ( N EFZ ), which the KBA carried out last year . This test cycle on the roller dynamometer must be passed in order to receive type approval in the European Union. So far, however, the KBA has not necessarily had to carry out these tests. The not very practical test cycle could also be watered down with numerous tricks (high tire pressure, taped windows for lower air resistance, etc.).

How the KBA carried out the tests last year is currently unclear. The office stated that the list only contained the results of a so-called entry test, which only checked the vehicles for basic functionality. This is obviously necessary because the cars are used. The results of these roller dynamometer tests have been available to Greenpeace for around two weeks. The environmental organization subsequently tried to clarify with several inquiries how the procedure was, said Greenpeace spokesman Tobias Riedl. Because all inquiries were unsuccessful, Greenpeace decided to publish the list this way.

The results are accordingly not very informative. According to KBA, the tests have not yet been completed. Federal Transport Minister Dobrindt apparently only wants to publish them en bloc. However, he has not yet given a date for this. The list published by Greenpeace shows values ​​for the Smart Diesel that are around eight percent above the limit of the Euro 5 standard. In the case of the Opel Astra with a 2.0-liter diesel, it is around four percent overrun. The result of a Peugeot 308 SW 1.6l, which was apparently measured twice, is unclear: once the result was above the Euro 6 limit, and once significantly below. (The full test results are available as a free download in our download box below).

Daimler and Opel stay calm

When asked, a Daimler spokeswoman said about the values ​​of the Smart: ' The KBA report is not yet available to the manufacturers. We are therefore unable to comment on the values ​​mentioned. Questions that the KBA asked us in advance were answered satisfactorily for both sides. We are therefore calmly looking forward to publication '. An Opel spokesman also said: 'So far we have no knowledge of thatmentioned test results. We have always emphasized that we do not have any facilities that recognize whether a vehicle is being subjected to a dynamometer test '.

EU6 models fall massively below limit values ​​

In view of the fact that the emissions of the While most of the vehicles in real operation are in some cases many times higher than the limit value, deviations in the single-digit percentage range in the NEDC are not particularly spectacular. However, they could make those responsible at VW sit up and take notice, who could then claim similar exceedances of limit values ​​for their retrofitted models - not entirely unjustifiably. or eban either, if the KBA representation is correct.

Most VW models with EA189 engines with defeat device were also in the test. They are, of course, well below the limit values. In the case of the EU6 models, there are a number of cars that are many times below the strict limit value: the BMW 216d Grand Tourer, for example, manages 16 million in the best case grams per kilometer. This would even undercut the US limit by a factor of two. It undercuts the European limit of 80 mg by a factor of 5. Perhaps that is why the KBA measured this model twice; at least the BMW is also listed twice. The second value is 25 mg.

Test results raise more questions

Throw without further explanations from the KBA Such results raise more questions than they give answers. It is also unclear whether the office, like the French authorities, also ran modified cycles to discover defeat devices. It is clear that it has also carried out emissions tests on the road under real conditions (Real Driving Emission, RDE). The publication of these results was wrongly not included in Greenpeace's request; the environmental organization made up for that on March 1st, said spokesman Tobias Riedl. Accordingly, the results of the RDE tests are expected to be published on April 1st.

If the KBA then handles the information in a similarly transparent manner, the date of publication could fit.

Emission measurements auto motor sport carried out 9 models under real conditions with mobile measuring devices in November 2015. You can find the results here .