VW In Hot Water With EPA Over TDI Diesel Cars

According to an Environmental Protection Agency press release from Friday, September 18, 2015 Volkswagen is in serious trouble over a matter of ECU tuning in TDI diesel vehicles. The subhead for the press release reads “Carmaker allegedly used software that circumvents emissions testing for certain air pollutants.”

The gist of the EPA’s gripe with VW is that car models featuring their renowned TDI engines such as the Golf, Jetta, Beetle, Passat, and the Audi A3 do not give up their emissions data when they are tested, but under normal driving conditions emit far more pollutants.

The EPA’s theory reads as such, “As described in the NOV, [notice of violation] a sophisticated software algorithm on certain Volkswagen vehicles detects when the car is undergoing official emissions testing, and turns full emissions control on only during the test. This results in cars that meet emissions standards in the laboratory or testing station, but during normal operation, emit nitrogen oxides or NOx, at up to 40 times the standard.”

VW has admitted to the EPA the presence of so-called “defeat devices” (in the nomenclature of the government agency) in the programing of the vehicles. The range of vehicles covered under the umbrella of this scandal vary from years 2008-2015, and encompass a scope of roughly 482,000 cars according to the EPA press release.

Hypothesizing potential consequences to this admission, and the EPA’s independent researcher findings, may include the mass recall of TDI vehicles for re-fit, smog denials to owners in the future, and massive monetary fines for VW. The number floating around media circles indicated that VW may be accountable for up to $37,000 worth of fines for each offending vehicle sold. You can do the math, and considering nearly all of those vehicles left dealer showrooms for far less than that, Volkswagen will feel some hurt.

In a letter to David Geanacopoulos, and Stuart Johnson (the VW Executive Vice President, and General Manager of Engineering and Environmental Office respectively) California Air Resources Board (CARB) chair Mary D. Nichols wrote, “…CARB and EPA at that time agreed that VW could implement the software recall; however, CARB cautioned VW that if our confirmatory testing showed that the fix did not resolve the on-road NOx issues, they would have to conduct another recall.”

From an opinion editorial standpoint, we at Diesel Army think that the EPA and CARB have gone way overboard on countless occasions. Applying harsh legislation and illogical, knee-jerk emotional reactions to widen their scope of influence and grasp of power.

This is especially true on an industry leader in technology like the TDI platform, a testing bed for the next generation of renewable fuels, and cleaner burning diesel engines. The EPA may feel justice is being served, but they are failing to see how they may be shooting themselves in the foot. De-funding the major company making advancements in these progressive technologies for the future shows the short sightedness, and political misgivings of this so-called public servant.

In a public announcement press release Dr. Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen AG stated, “I personally am deeply sorry that we have broken the trust of our customers and the public. We will cooperate fully with the responsible agencies, with transparency and urgency, to clearly, openly, and completely all of the facts of this case.”