Renault charged over emissions probe

Renault has denied any wrongdoing after being charged by a French court with deception over a diesel-emissions probe.

An inquiry into the French carmaker began in 2017 and focused on some of its older vehicles and suspected test manipulations.

The company is one of several marques in Europe put under scrutiny since the Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal erupted six years ago, reports Reuters.

“Renault denies having committed any crime, and reiterates that its vehicles are not by any measure equipped with systems that would enable it to cheat in emissions testing,” the group says in a statement.

“All Renault vehicles have always been approved in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.”

Volkswagen has paid out €32 billion (NZ$54b) in fines, refits and legal costs globally after admitting in 2015 it had rigged engine software with “defeat devices” to cheat US diesel tests.

French prosecutors have also opened a probe into Peugeot maker PSA, now part of Stellantis.