Germany invites EU to investigate Fiat Chrysler diesel cheating allegations

After Volkswagen confessed to deceiving most of the world concerning its diesel emissions, a number of federal governments have increased screening of all diesel automobiles, in the event any other company attempted to pull the exact same technique. Germany’s regulators now assert that Fiat Chrysler automobiles are cheating, and they want the EU to investigate it.

KBA, Germany’s transportation authority, declares that the diesel variations of the Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade and Fiat Doblo all have devices meant to turn off exhaust treatment systems, Reuters notes. Germany brought these claims to Italian authorities currently, however Italy declares it never ever spoke with Germany on the matter.

After Italy’s snub, Germany went all the way to the European Union, requesting an examination into FCA’s cars. The EU stated it’s up to Germany and Italy to resolve this problem.

The problem associates with exactly what is called a “thermal window.” Generally, there’s a particular time period when vehicles can restrict emissions-control devices in order to avoid engine issue under really cold starting conditions. KBA asserts that these thermal windows can vary wildly in between car manufacturers, and that the window itself can really be quite big.

Fiat Chrysler told Reuters that the claims are untrue, and that its automobiles comply with all suitable standards.