Volkswagen sold diesel cars with software that circumvented U.S. emissions standards for air pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.
The company sold Volkswagen and Audi brand cars from the 2009 to 2015 model years that contained a “sophisticated software algorithm” that detects when the car is undergoing official emissions testing, and turns on full emissions control, the agency said.
During normal driving times, the systems don’t operate fully, regulators said. EPA called the technology a “defeat device.”
“Using a defeat device in cars to evade clean air standards is illegal and a threat to public health,” said Cynthia Giles, the agency’s assistant administrator for enforcement. “EPA is committed to making sure that all automakers play by the same rules.”
The potential fine is US$37,500 per vehicle and 482,000 vehicles are part of the case, yielding a potential fine of more than US$18 billion, Giles said on a phone call with reporters Friday. The cars can emit up to 40 times the allowed air pollutants during regular driving, the agency said. California is also investigating the claims.
Volkswagen said in a statement it is cooperating with the investigation and unable to comment further.
