Asked by: Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on vehicles in the UK that have been identified as containing prohibited defeat devices since 2015.
Answered by Richard Holden - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
In 2016, the DVSA Market Surveillance Unit (MSU) was established to test vehicle emissions in the real world as well as in labs and investigate suspicious practice, significantly increasing oversight of vehicle emissions. The results of the MSU annual emissions-testing programme are made publicly available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dvsa-vehicle-market-surveillance-unit. Where MSU testing identifies non-compliant emissions, including suspicions of a prohibited defeat device, DVSA works with the manufacturer to implement improvement plans. Where action has been carried out this is explained within the published reports. The plan is monitored through regular updates from the manufacturer.
To restrict the use of illegal emission technologies, the Government was at the forefront of the introduction at a European level of Real Driving Emissions (RDE) requirements for new cars and vans, which came into force in September 2017. This is an emissions test conducted on public roads using portable emissions measurement equipment, which due to its random nature makes it virtually impossible to ‘cheat’. Vehicles are checked to ensure they comply with RDE requirements through in-service testing by type approval authorities, market surveillance authorities and other third-party organisations, including NGOs.
For vehicles type-approved by the Vehicle Certification Agency, the effectiveness of any ‘fixes’ installed is assessed before application.
In 2018 the Government strengthened restrictions against the use of illegal emissions technology by passing legislation making it an offence for manufacturers to place motor vehicles on the market which contain prohibited defeat systems. The Government will also bring forward legislation to enable us to require vehicles to be recalled on environmental grounds, as well as exploring other means of strengthening enforcement.
Asked by: Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to restrict the use of illegal emissions technology since 2015.
Answered by Richard Holden - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
In 2016, the DVSA Market Surveillance Unit (MSU) was established to test vehicle emissions in the real world as well as in labs and investigate suspicious practice, significantly increasing oversight of vehicle emissions. The results of the MSU annual emissions-testing programme are made publicly available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dvsa-vehicle-market-surveillance-unit. Where MSU testing identifies non-compliant emissions, including suspicions of a prohibited defeat device, DVSA works with the manufacturer to implement improvement plans. Where action has been carried out this is explained within the published reports. The plan is monitored through regular updates from the manufacturer.
To restrict the use of illegal emission technologies, the Government was at the forefront of the introduction at a European level of Real Driving Emissions (RDE) requirements for new cars and vans, which came into force in September 2017. This is an emissions test conducted on public roads using portable emissions measurement equipment, which due to its random nature makes it virtually impossible to ‘cheat’. Vehicles are checked to ensure they comply with RDE requirements through in-service testing by type approval authorities, market surveillance authorities and other third-party organisations, including NGOs.
For vehicles type-approved by the Vehicle Certification Agency, the effectiveness of any ‘fixes’ installed is assessed before application.
In 2018 the Government strengthened restrictions against the use of illegal emissions technology by passing legislation making it an offence for manufacturers to place motor vehicles on the market which contain prohibited defeat systems. The Government will also bring forward legislation to enable us to require vehicles to be recalled on environmental grounds, as well as exploring other means of strengthening enforcement.
Asked by: Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to help ensure that emission fixes installed in vehicles are effective.
Answered by Richard Holden - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
In 2016, the DVSA Market Surveillance Unit (MSU) was established to test vehicle emissions in the real world as well as in labs and investigate suspicious practice, significantly increasing oversight of vehicle emissions. The results of the MSU annual emissions-testing programme are made publicly available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dvsa-vehicle-market-surveillance-unit. Where MSU testing identifies non-compliant emissions, including suspicions of a prohibited defeat device, DVSA works with the manufacturer to implement improvement plans. Where action has been carried out this is explained within the published reports. The plan is monitored through regular updates from the manufacturer.
To restrict the use of illegal emission technologies, the Government was at the forefront of the introduction at a European level of Real Driving Emissions (RDE) requirements for new cars and vans, which came into force in September 2017. This is an emissions test conducted on public roads using portable emissions measurement equipment, which due to its random nature makes it virtually impossible to ‘cheat’. Vehicles are checked to ensure they comply with RDE requirements through in-service testing by type approval authorities, market surveillance authorities and other third-party organisations, including NGOs.
For vehicles type-approved by the Vehicle Certification Agency, the effectiveness of any ‘fixes’ installed is assessed before application.
In 2018 the Government strengthened restrictions against the use of illegal emissions technology by passing legislation making it an offence for manufacturers to place motor vehicles on the market which contain prohibited defeat systems. The Government will also bring forward legislation to enable us to require vehicles to be recalled on environmental grounds, as well as exploring other means of strengthening enforcement.
Asked by: Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to publish the results of its e-scooter trials research.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Government intends to create a Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle (LZEV) category that is distinct from the cycle and motor vehicle categories. The first beneficiaries of this new system will be e-scooters. No final decisions about e-scooter regulations have been made and the Department will consult publicly before any new arrangements come into force.
A full set of findings from our evaluation of the e-scooter trials will be published in due course.
Asked by: Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals on light powered vehicles to enable the creation of appropriate legal standards for e-scooters.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Government intends to create a Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle (LZEV) category that is distinct from the cycle and motor vehicle categories. The first beneficiaries of this new system will be e-scooters. No final decisions about e-scooter regulations have been made and the Department will consult publicly before any new arrangements come into force.
A full set of findings from our evaluation of the e-scooter trials will be published in due course.