E-car recall due to exhaust emissions?!?
Electric Corsas have to go back to the workshop because they do not comply with the exhaust emission regulations. A mere formality in connection with the statutory exhaust emission measurement, which could nevertheless be inconvenient for many motorists.
Emission requirements were not met, software systems have to be updated - vehicle recalls often occur in the context of the diesel scandal. However, these usually involve internal combustion vehicles, which, due to their environmental impact, are subject to strict controls to ensure compliance with emissions regulations. However, this is not the case with the latest - and surprising - recall by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).
Namely, the recall was ordered for the electric Opel Corsa. They too, along with the petrol or diesel-powered Corsa series models, must return to the hands of car mechanics for retrofitting. An extraordinary recall, which will therefore come as a surprise to many owners. This is because, according to investigations by the KBA, it is not possible to measure the exhaust emissions of the battery-powered small car in its current state. Thus, according to the Federal Office, the electric Corsa violates the legal obligation of an exhaust emission measurement - even though, as electric cars, they do not in fact cause any operating emissions through exhaust fumes.
A brief software update should remedy the deficiency in the system and consequently enable future emissions tests. So the problem of the battery-powered Opel Corsa is quickly solved. But the recall by the KBA, -which is after all based on a mere formality, - upsets many Corsa owners. Some 6442 owners will have to take their vehicles to the authorised repair shop of the Rüsselsheim-based car company for this purpose. Whereas it would make much more sense for the reduction of traffic emissions if the Federal Motor Transport Authority were to use its resources for the test bench measurement of internal combustion vehicles. Namely, those that, if not checked properly, actually have the potential to emit pollutants above the permissible limits.
So the question arises: Will electric vehicles - especially as they are also affected by the next emissions standard - become more and more the focus of the monitoring authorities? Or will the last years before the end of the internal combustion engine be characterised by constant and increased controls for diesel and petrol engines - with the aim of limiting the environmental damage potentially caused by then?