“This results in cars that meet emissions standards in the laboratory or testing station, but during normal operation, emit nitrogen oxides at up to 40 times the standard”.
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The agency said that owners of these cars don’t need to take any action right now and that while the cars have emissions exceeding federal standards, “these violations do not present a safety hazard and the cars remain legal to drive”, according to the EPA.
The state of California has issued a separate notice of violation to the company.
“Using a defeat device in cars to evade clean air standards is illegal and a threat to public health”, said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
Earlier this month, EPA and CARB say they demanded explanations for the identified problem, and Volkswagen admitted the cars contained the defeat devices. “Working closely with the California Air Resources Board, EPA is committed to making sure that all automakers play by the same rules”.
In a statement to Ars, a Volkswagen Group spokesperson said that the company has received the letter and is cooperating with the EPA’s investigation.
According to the EPA, nearly half a million cars were equipped with a device that could detect when it was undergoing an emissions test. And the EPA says that this “defeat device” would only run the auto at peak efficiency during these times.
The EPA said in the release VW may be liable for civil penalties and injunctive relief for the violations alleged in the November .
Environmental groups hailed the EPA and California for moving aggressively to enforce clean air laws. He said the charges undercut industry rhetoric about “clean diesel” cars. The product, which the EPA called an “annihilation gadget”, would turn on full discharges controls amid testing, and switch them off again under typical driving conditions.
“Obviously it’s changing the way the engine operates somehow that may not be pleasing to consumers”, he said.
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If VW doesn’t voluntarily recall the the roughly 482,000 affected vehicles sold in the United States since 2009 – 2.0 liter Volkswagen Golf, Jetta, Sportswagen, Beetle and Audi A3 vehicles – a recall could be forced by court order, The New York Times and The Detroit News are reporting.
