Denmark plans to impose stricter fines for operators that are caught manipulating emission control systems.
Operators of vehicles weighing 3.5 tonnes or heavier could be fined 15,000 Danish Krone (£1,873) and drivers 7,500kr if a vehicle is driven without a particulate filter or AdBlue usage.
If the proposals are given the green light, hauliers could also face fines of up to 65,000kr if they repeat the offence, while drivers could receive a fine of up to 32,500kr.
Drivers of lighter vehicles (under 3.5 tonnes) will also be fined if caught in breach of the rules.
The fines will be imposed if the operator fits ‘cheat’ devices to a vehicle’s SCR system, or if parts of the system have been disconnected. Police officers may also be able to detain a vehicle if it is found to have been tampered with.
An operator can currently be fined 1,000kr or more if it makes changes to a vehicle’s engine or pollution control equipment. However, the country’s Ministry of Transport, Building and Housing believes that the fine is too low in relation to the environmental damage caused.
Earlier this year the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) called upon the European Commission (EC) to ban the advertising and sale of any aftermarket device that can bypass vehicle emission control systems or enable parts of the system to be removed. It also urged the EC and EU member states to introduce random roadside enforcement by police.
