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France to hold random engine checks after Volkswagen scandal

The exhaust of a Volkswagen Passat Bluemotion is photographed in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. The software at the center of Volkswagen's emissions scandal in the U.S. was built into the automaker's cars in Europe as well, though it isn't yet clear if it helped cheat tests as it did in the U.S., Germany said Thursday. A day after longtime CEO Martin Winterkorn stepped down, a member of Volkswagen's supervisory board said that he expects further resignations at the automaker in the wake of the scandal. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
The exhaust of a Volkswagen Passat Bluemotion is photographed in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. The software at the center of Volkswagen's emissions scandal in the U.S. was built into the automaker's cars in Europe as well, though it isn't yet clear if it helped cheat tests as it did in the U.S., Germany said Thursday. A day after longtime CEO Martin Winterkorn stepped down, a member of Volkswagen's supervisory board said that he expects further resignations at the automaker in the wake of the scandal. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) The exhaust of a Volkswagen Passat Bluemotion is photographed in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. The software at the center of Volkswagen's emissions scandal in the U.S. was built into the automaker's cars in Europe as well, though it isn't yet clear if it helped cheat tests as it did in the U.S., Germany said Thursday. A day after longtime CEO Martin Winterkorn stepped down, a member of Volkswagen's supervisory board said that he expects further resignations at the automaker in the wake of the scandal. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

By Associated Press 1 min read

PARIS (AP) – France’s environment minister has announced random tests of about 100 French cars to ensure that their engines meet pollution standards in the wake of Volkswagen’s emissions scandal.

Minister Segolene Royal held an emergency meeting Thursday with carmakers and officials, and announced the tests to “show proof to consumers” that the government is monitoring emissions.

She also said she wants to update France’s pollution control procedures to better detect problems such as the VW software that allowed engines to run cleaner during emissions tests.

The French tests will be carried out by a special commission with access to factories and software.

France, which is heavily reliant on diesel fuel, is trying to show it’s aggressive against dangerous emissions as it prepares to host a U.N. conference this year on global warming.