The EPA is currently investigating 482,000 Volkswagen and Audi diesel models sold from 2009-2015 for using a “defeat device” to meet standards for nitrous oxide emissions. According to the EPA’s findings, these devices were able to detect when the vehicles were being tested to control emissions more tightly, but partially deactivated the controls when the vehicles were driving in the real world, resulting in emissions levels that did not meet governmental standards. There are no details yet on a recall procedure for the affected cars, but Volkswagen did assure current diesel owners that the cars remain safe to drive.
Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn issued a statement over the weekend apologizing for having “broken the trust of our customers and the public.” Winterkorn also said that Volkswagen has arranged for an external investigation of the issue.
Stay tuned for more information to come about Volkswagen’s diesel emissions violations.
