EU begins legal case against Italy over FCA emissions

The Italian Government is being accused of failing to respond properly to allegations that the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) group has cheated emissions tests.

According to Next Green Car, the claims were made in the fallout from the VW Emissions Scandal.

EU officials believe that regulators did not act quick enough and that FCA models were not re-tested by the country’s vehicle transport authority.

This is despite investigations into other manufacturer’s models which were carried out after the emissions scandal came to light.

FCA - which includes manufacturers such as Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Chrysler and Jeep - has not been formally accused of any wrongdoing, however, claims have been made that defeat devices have been used to cheat emissions tests on group models.

The European Commission statement said: "Under current EU law, national authorities are responsible for checking that a car type meets all EU standards before individual cars can be sold on the Single Market.

"EU type approval legislation bans defeat devices such as software, timers or thermal windows which lead to higher NOx emissions outside of the test cycle, unless they can be justified by the need to protect the engine against damage or accident, or for the safe operation of the vehicle.”

"The Commission is now formally asking Italy to respond to its concerns that the manufacturer has not sufficiently justified the technical necessity – and thus the legality – of the defeat device used, and to clarify whether Italy has failed to meet its obligation to adopt corrective measures regarding the FCA type in question and to impose penalties on the car manufacturer."

The Italian Government has two months to respond to the infringement procedure to prevent the issue going to court.