The Volkswagen “Dieselgate” scandal has resulted in a firestorm of re-testing, as various European agencies scramble to scrutinize and re-test as many diesel vehicles as they can. Now, the EPA has begun to do the same here at home, says Automotive News.
The EPA says it will reexamine GM’s new diesel powerplant before the launch of the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado and 2016 GMC Canyon with the Thai-built 2.8L Duramax diesel engine.
The EPA says it will not release the truck for sale until it ensures GM’s 2.8L four-cylinder Duramax turbo diesel will pass emissions tests during normal on-road driving, which marks the first time the agency will use its new, more stringent test procedure that will include testing cars on road, rather than just in a lab.
“The EPA and CARB told us they are going to do on-road testing,” Scott Yackley, Chevrolet assistant chief engineer told Automotive News. And he’s confident GM vehicles will pass the test. “Part of our development process is on-road and off-road [laboratory] testing.
The EPA also says it will use vehicles from owners and fleets so automakers can’t pull a Volkswagen and rig their cars to pass the test.
There is one downsize to all this, though: all this re-testing could push the Duramax’s fourth quarter on-sale date, in which case customers may have to wait until 2016 to pick one up.
Comments
This could turn out to be a great potential marketing opportunity. Since this diesel set up uses the urea after treatment it should prove compliant with the extra scrutiny.
When it does compliant GM can use that in their advertising.