European Commission expects Italy to answer over alleged Fiat emissions cheating

The European Commission last week called on Italy to provide evidence against Germany’s claims that Fiat Chrysler utilized illegal exhaust emissions defeat devices, increasing pressure on the group amidst accusations against it in the U.S.

Germany asked the EU executive to moderate its conflict with Italy, which declined its claims of hidden software on the Fiat 500X, Fiat Doblo and Jeep Renegade cars that permitted excess diesel emissions.

Germany’s motor vehicle authority KBA started testing the automobiles of numerous manufacturers, consisting of Fiat Chrysler, after Volkswagen’s confession of cheating on emissions tests.

An EU source stated that testing performed on one Fiat 500X vehicle at the EU’s own automobile testing laboratory north of Milan showed suspicious emissions habits.

Fiat Chrysler refused to comment. The German KBA authority had previously said it discovered a device that throttles back the models’ exhaust purification system after 22 minutes – simply longer than formal regulatory tests.