Sparks fly as GWM accuses BYD of rigging emissions standard test

BYD has refuted the accusations made by its competitor, Great Wall Motor (GWM), regarding the failure of emissions standards in the combustion engines of two BYD plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, Bloomberg reports. BYD has further stated that it retains the right to pursue legal action.

The response came after GWM filed a complaint with Chinese regulators, alleging that the engines in BYD's Qin Plus and Song Plus PHEVs did not meet the country's emissions standards. GWM is currently awaiting an update from the regulatory authority to determine if a case will be opened.

BYD strongly refuted these claims, stating that their products and testing procedures adhere to national standards and have been certified by authoritative institutions. They invited relevant departments to investigate the matter and collect evidence.

The company also expressed its opposition to any form of unfair competition and clarified that the tests were conducted by the Tianjin branch of the China Automotive Technology and Research Center at the request of GWM, which also procured and delivered the vehicles for testing.

According to BYD, the vehicles had covered distances ranging from 450 to 670 km. However, Chinese testing standards dictate that a third party must acquire and deliver vehicles for testing, and a mileage of 3,000 km is required before assessments can be made. Consequently, BYD argued that the results were invalid.

GWM's complaint comes ahead of the implementation of China's stringent new vehicle emissions standards, which will require on-road testing instead of testing centres. The environment ministry and the companies involved have yet to respond.

Also read: GWM gets trolled in its own $ 1.5 million plan by Chinese internet users

Earlier this month, BYD faced another pollution accusation when an environmental inspection team visited one of their major factories in Changsha following reports of adverse health effects and odours from residents, reports AFP. The outcome of the inspection has not been disclosed by the Changsha government, and BYD declined to comment on the matter.

GWM was also involved in controversy earlier this year in March. The company introduced a program offering a reward of CNY 10 million (~RM 6.5 million or USD 1.5 million) to individuals who report social media trolling, which faced criticism online.

China's upgraded vehicle emissions standards will be enforced nationwide starting from 1-July, introducing more rigorous testing requirements that include on-road evaluations.

Also read: China's Hainan province to become the first region to ban ICE-only cars by 2030