One in 12 lorries is fitted with emission fraud device

One in 12 lorries checked by DVSA examiners is fitted with an emission fraud device, the agency has revealed.

And following a series of roadside checks, DVSA examiners are now inspecting more than 100 operators’ vehicle fleets for emission cheat devices. It said that some of the companies being inspected operate up to 80 vehicles.

The DVSA found that the most common type of device found is an ‘emulator’, which stops the lorry’s existing emissions control system from working. The aim is to save money on maintenance and repairs.

Examiners checked 3,735 lorries between August and November and 293 of them had been fitted with fraud devices.

These include:

– 151 vehicles registered in Great Britain, out of 1,784 checked (8.5 per cent)

– 60 vehicles from Northern Ireland, out of 294 checked (20.4 per cent)

– 82 vehicles from outside the UK, out of 1,657 checked (4.9 per cent).

Drivers or operators of these vehicles have to remove the devices within ten days or face a £300 fine and have their vehicle taken off the road.

They also risk losing their licence to operate a haulage business altogether – and with it their livelihood. Senior traffic commissioner, Richard Turfitt, warned: “We will look to take action wherever an operator seeks an unfair and illegal advantage over the rest of industry.

“Traffic Commissioners welcome the steps being taken by the enforcement agency to identify emissions cheats. Use of these devices threatens to undercut responsible and compliant operators as well as damaging the environment and public health.”

In addition to fines and prohibitions issued, DVSA is visiting more than 100 operators’ sites to check the rest of their fleet and has passed cases to the Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain, who have the power to remove operator licences.