EU starts legal action over VW emissions

Associated Press

BRUSSELS

The European Union is starting legal action against Britain, Germany, Spain and Luxembourg for not imposing penalties against Volkswagen for using illegal software to hide vehicle emissions.

The European Commission also said Thursday that it believes Britain and Germany “broke the law by refusing to disclose, when requested by the Commission, all the technical infor- mation” they gathered on Volkswagen emissions.

It said the technical information concerns “potential nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions irregularities in cars by Volkswagen Group AG and other car manufacturers on their territories.”

In the wake of the Volkswagen diesel- emissions scandal, the European Commission called on all EU states to test for so-called “defeat devices” on other makes of vehicles.

A number of member states found that such stealth software is being used by others, but they believe the use is covered under an exemption because the equipment is aimed at protecting the vehicle’s motor. However, the Commission said it needs that data to verify if this is the case.