Volkswagen is one of the world’s biggest seller of clean diesel engines. The company faces penalties up to $18.075 billion (USD 18,075,000,000) after it seemingly deliberately violated EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) emissions laws on its TDI diesel models.
A report from EPA, reveals that the Volkswagen AG is accused of designing software in the electronic control module (ECM) refer to as ‘Defeat Device’ for 2.0-litre on VW and Audi diesel cars, manufactured between 2009 and 2015. This device sense when the vehicle is being tested for compliance with EPA emission standards and adjust accordingly, to clear all the requisite norms.
The software detects when the car is undergoing an emissions test, based on inputs such as the steering wheel position, vehicle speed, duration of engine’s operation and barometric pressure. But when the car is driven under normal conditions, the vehicle emits as much as 40 times higher amounts of Nitrogen Oxide into the atmosphere than allowed under EPA Diesel Laws.
This device is incorporated on the VW Jetta, VW Beetle, VW Golf and the Audi A3, as well as the VW Passat from model years 2014 and 2015. A maximum of USD 37,500 per vehicle could be slapped for a total of 482,000 models roughly, which results in a total fine of a staggering $18.075 billion (USD 18,075,000,000)!
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Also see: Supreme Court orders Fiat India to pay a heavy penalty
Source: The New York Times
