Volkswagen cars in Australia are guzzling up to 14% more diesel fuel after a recall fix designed to cut emissions, research has found, reigniting calls for emissions to be tested in the real world rather than a laboratory. The analysis, commissioned by the Australian Automobile Association, which is campaigning for real-world testing, examined affected VW cars before recall and immediately after. A 2010 Volkswagen Golf used an average of 7% more fuel after it had been recalled, ranging from 2% more in urban areas to 14% more on highways. The real-world testing showed a reduction in harmful emissions, but emissions from nitrogen oxides were still four times the levels observed in lab testing. Consumer group Choice said the results underscored the “urgent need” to update the process used for testing cars sold in Australia. “Calculating fuel use in a lab does little to help consumers understand the running and environmental costs of the cars they’re buying,” said Katinka Day, head of campaigns and policy at Choice. “Lab tests have also produced inconsistent results, which make realistic comparisons nearly impossible. It’s time Australia follows the lead of other jurisdictions, such as the EU, and adopt real-world driving tests for emissions.” Volkswagen became embroiled in a major corporate scandal – known as “dieselgate” – in 2015 when it emerged that millions of cars had been fitted with software designed to suppress emissions during testing. Almost 100,000 Australians own a car affected by the “defeat device” software. A class action against Volkswagen on behalf of Australian owners is being heard in the federal court in Sydney. As the federal government prepares to release new vehicle emissions standards, the AAA has argued there is no point setting tougher standards “unless information on real-world performance is in the hands of consumers”. Volkswagen has rejected the AAA’s findings on the fuel efficiency of its recalled cars. “The German government approved Volkswagen’s software update on the basis that it did not adversely affect the emissions or fuel economy of vehicles in test conditions,” the company said in a statement. “The leading motorists’ organisations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland have tested vehicles and concluded that vehicles continue to perform as expected after the software update.”
Research has found Volkswagen cars in Australia are consuming more diesel fuel following a product recall which was intended to cut emissions. Using "real-world" testing on the roads, the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) found a 2010 VW Golf used up to 14% more fuel on highways, with the average (including urban driving) being 7% more overall. Whilst there was a reduction in harmful emissions, tests showed nitrogen oxide emissions were still four times the levels recorded in lab testing. The AAA is calling for Australia to follow the EU in adopting real-world testing for emissions.