The French prosecutor's office accused Renault of fraud with the level of emissions of harmful substances by diesel cars of the brand. This is reported by the information and analytical agency Reuters.
It is alleged that investigators have been working on this case since 2017. The materials indicate that some older Renault models generate 10 times more nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions than are allowed by EU certification requirements. The indicators changed downwards thanks to software that underestimated the amount of harmful substances during tests. A similar concept, we recall, was used by the Volkswagen Group on its cars, which led to a “dieselgate” that ended for the concern in expenses of 35 billion euros.
Prosecutors ordered Renault to post a €24m bail and provide a bank guarantee for an additional €60m to cover potential damages related to the charge.
Gilles Le Born, head of the brand's development department, told foreign journalists that it is not yet clear how many models can be affected in connection with the criminal case. However, the automaker has already issued a press release denying any wrongdoing.
French investigators accuse Renault of cheating with diesel engines
