Peugeot charged with fraud for diesel emissions in France

Peugeot has been charged with fraud by French authorities, following a diesel emissions probe into vehicles sold between 2009 and 2015.

Fellow Stellantis brands Citroen and FCA Auto have also been ordered to appear in court, according to Reuters.

Peugeot is second French manufacturer to be charged with emissions deception by French prosecutors, after it was revealed that rival firm Renault was facing legal action on Tuesday (June 8).

The company said it is in the process of assessing its defense options and that its Citroen and Fiat Chrysler subsidiaries also have been summoned before a Paris court.

Stellantis issued a statement that said: "The companies firmly believe that their emission control systems met all applicable requirements at the relevant times and continue to do so and look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate that."

The charges are the result of a judicial investigation that opened in early 2017, days after VW settled criminal and civil complaints in the US for its use of illegal devices to circumvent emissions tests with diesel vehicles.

French prosecutors looking in to Renault and Peugeot said they had found that some of the cars produced on-the-road nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions more than 10 times regulatory limits for some models, according to reports of the investigation from 2019.

Peugeot has been ordered to provide €30m (£25.7m) in guarantees for potential payouts.