27 September 2015

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In Depth Explained Volkswagen scandal Time Line Volkswagen scandal

In Depth Explained Volkswagen scandal Time Line Volkswagen scandal
In Depth Explained Volkswagen emissions scandal
Time line of the Volkswagen emissions scandal

German company Volkswagen is facing up to $ 18 billion in fine in the USA over allegations of cheating pollution tests. The probe came after the company recalled a whopping 11 million units sold since 2006.

The allegations were made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on September 18

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), cars being sold in America had devices in diesel engines that could detect when they were being tested, changing the performance accordingly to improve results.

The EPA's findings cover 482,000 cars in the US only, including the VW-manufactured Audi A3, and the VW brands Jetta, Beetle, Golf and Passat. But VW has admitted that about 11 million cars worldwide are fitted with the so-called "defeat device".

The company admitted that many of its diesel cars were fitted with software that can cheat pollution tests.

EPA has said that the engines had computer software that could sense test scenarios by monitoring speed, engine operation, air pressure and even the position of the steering wheel.

When the cars were operating under controlled laboratory conditions - which typically involved putting them on a stationary test rig - the device appears to have put the vehicle into a sort of safety mode in which the engine ran below normal power and performance. Once on the road, the engines switched from this test mode.

Effect Result - The engines emitted nitrogen oxide pollutants up to 40 times above what is allowed in the USA

Volkswagen installed intelligent advanced software known as "defeat devices" in the electronic control module of diesel vehicles issued between 2008 and 2015

The EPA has the power to fine a company up to $37,500 for each vehicle that breaches standards - a maximum fine of about $18bn.

The company will face Class action suit, criminal probe by justice department and shareholders may also file the cases.

The company has yet to explain who installed the software, under what direction, and why.

The timeline of the

2001-2013 -
ICCT monitors carbon dioxide (CO2) emission levels of 540,000 diesel cars.
Gap between actual CO2 levels and manufacturers ‘claims rises to 38 %.

2013-2014 -
Joint ICCT and West Virginia University project in U.S. compares real-world tests on VW cars with lab tests by CARB. Results show nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions and exceed lab tests by up to 35 times.

May 2014 -
U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) opens investigation into Volkswagen.

December 2014 -
VW installs software patch to Engine Control Module (ECM) which operates engine and pollution control technology.

May 6, 2015 -
CARB begins testing cars with software patch-NOx emissions remain higher than U.S. limits.

July 2015 -
Regulators refuse to certify VW's 2016 models for sale in U.S. unless company explains anomalous emission levels.

September 3, 2015 –
Finally, company admits to CARB and EPA that it cheated on emission tests.

September 23, 2015 -
The CEO Martin Winterkorn quits over the diesel scandal.

September 25, 2015 –
Company appointed new CEO Matthias Mueller, the chairman of Porsche AG

Now company may face Criminal Probe, Class action suit

Does it affect India anyway?
This does not affect India.
We do not have any law which can control pollution and cars and buses which increase pollution, even our local government bus transport companies use the age old buses.

We got the laws only for the name sake 

What we learn?
Never trust any company keep eyes and ears open


Reality views by sm –

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Tags – Pollution Volkswagen emissions scandal

4 comments:

Destination Infinity September 27, 2015  

I hope ppl. realize that short cuts will backfire on the long run.

Destination Infinity

Renu September 28, 2015  

It shows that vices are found everywhere.