Italy declines Germany’s emissions accusations against Fiat Chrysler

Tests performed on Fiat Chrysler automobiles reveal they are certified with policies and include no emissions defeat devices as accused by Germany, Italy’s transport ministry stated on Monday.

Tensions have been increased in between Rome and Berlin over the concern, with German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt stating at the weekend that Fiat Chrysler cars breaking emissions regulations must be recalled and removed the streets.

“This is an inadmissible idea. You don’t give orders to a sovereign country like Italy,” Italian Transport Minister Graziano Delrio stated.

Germany in 2016 raised issues over particular Fiat Chrysler models, consisting of the Fiat 500X, Fiat Doblo and Jeep Abandoner, alleging that hidden software enabled extreme emissions by their diesel engines.

The problem resurfaced recently when the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) alleged Fiat Chrysler of manipulating emissions tests in its Jeep Grand Cherokee sport utility vehicles and Ram 1500 pick-up trucks.

Fiat Chrysler has rejected these allegations.

After Italy turned down Germany’s accusations in 2016, Berlin asked the European Commission to moderate in the conflict.

Italy’s transport ministry stated on Monday it had “carried out the essential checks and sent a comprehensive report to the German authorities which reveals that the Fiat 500X, in contrast to what is declared by Germany, remains in compliance with regulations”.

It included that the European Commission did not showed up to have performed any tests of its own that would verify the allegations. An EU official has informed Reuters that the Commission had taken emissions measurements on one leased Fiat 500X model.

The Commission recently contacted Italy to give evidence against Germany’s accusations. Rome on Monday dismissed Commission accusations that it was dragging its feet in the event, stating it has constantly reacted to demands from Brussels in a prompt manner.