This week Volkswagen said 11 million cars were fitted with engines that had shown a noticeable deviation in emissions levels between testing and road use.
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According to mashable, Volkswagen was accused of making software for its TDI diesel engine which in turn manipulates EPA emission testing results.
Volkswagen introduced its new 2016 Passat model – which includes a diesel version – in New York on Monday just as the scandal over cheating on pollution controls broke.
Grundler says the changes are designed to detect software and other methods automakers might use to rig a test. It admitted that it began closely scrutinizing the company’s diesel cars only after a West Virginia University study found emissions anomalies.
In response to “Dieselgate”, the EPA head of transportation and air quality, Chris Grundler, says the agency is sending letters to automakers promising that the agency is “upping our game”, by improving its ability to detect defeat devices and software such as used by Volkswagen.
EPA’s current protocol does not test under real-word driving conditions, and requires auto makers instead to submit design certificates to comply.
No more relying exclusively on dyno testing, in other words. It then turned on pollution controls that reduced the output of nitrogen oxide, an ingredient in harmful ozone, the EPA has said. EPA and California regulators confronted VW with those findings to VW in May 2014.
Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida is frustrated that regulatory agencies such as the EPA are failing to protect the public.
He says the VW case has similarities to those involving General Motors ‘ defective ignition switches and Takata Corp.’s exploding air bag inflators, where it also took years before those problems were disclosed to consumers.
We can only hope that the fact VW got caught-and the imposition of heavy punishments-will deter more cheating. This covertly allowed emissions controls to remain fully functional during official testing, yet still emit up to 40 times the legal amount when genuinely on the road.
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Like, ever. “The Volkswagen violations before us now make it clear, we need to adapt and step up our oversight”, Janet McCabe, acting administrator in the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, said during a press conference.
