Updated: VW admits to rigged emissions tests

German car manufacturer Volkswagen (VW) has admitted to rigging emissions tests in the US to mask the true pollution levels of its diesel cars.

The US chief executive Michael Horn, speaking at an event in Brooklyn, New York, on Monday 21 September said VW had been dishonest with regulars and the public and had ‘totally screwed up’.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ordered VW to recall 482,000 VW and Audi cars produced since 2009 for allowing its diesel cars to produce up to 40 times more pollution than allowed.

The tests were rigged with illegal software in the cars that could turn off emission controls when driving normally, then turn them on when the cars were undergoing emissions tests.

It has now been confirmed that 11 million cars were involved in the rigged tests, which could be responsible for nearly  1 million tonnes of air pollution every year.

France’s finance minister has called for a Europe-wide probe into the company, while Germany, South Korea and Italy have all launched independent inquiries, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel calling for full transparency from Volkswagen.

Shares fell by 22 per cent since the news broke, with CEO Martin Winterkorn releasing a statement saying he was ‘deeply sorry’ for breaking the trust of the company’s customers and that VW has ordered an external investigation. However, he is yet to step down from his post, despite increasing calls for his resignation.

Greg Archer, Transport and Environment’s clean vehicles manager, responded to the news by claiming that the technology could be more wide spread, with more manufacturers over Europe implementing similar techniques to rig tests.

He said: "Volkswagen's admission of cheating is just the tip of the iceberg and there will be a lot more companies embroiled in this. Tens of millions of cars have been sold since 2009, and with exactly the same technology being used in Europe as in the US, this will not be an isolated case.

"The current EU test is simply not fit for purpose. In the US authorities undertake conformity checks on 10-15% of models coming off production lines where as in Europe the tests are performed on vehicles specially prepared by the carmakers and usually conducted in their own labs. What's more, in Europe the testing companies are paid by the carmakers and overseen by national type approval authorities whose costs are also met by the car manufacturers.

"Europe needs to end the system where carmakers can effectively 'shop around' different countries for approval. We need an independent EU Type Approval Authority, funded by a levy of €20 on every vehicle sold.”

However, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has released a statement saying that there is no evidence to suggest this is an industry-wide issue.

The statement reads: “The UK automotive industry understands the concerns consumers may have following the actions of one manufacturer in regard to emissions testing and the subsequent decision to recall a large number of its cars. This is, however, an issue affecting just one company and there is no evidence to suggest that any other company is involved, let alone that this is an industry-wide issue.

“Consumers should be reassured that cars sold in the UK must comply with strict European laws. All cars must complete a standard emissions test, which, unlike in the US, is independently witnessed by a government-appointed independent agency.”

Phil Stones, head of powertrain – emissions & fuel economy at Millbrook Vehicle Test & Development Facility commented about the testing procedures at the Bedfordshire proving ground: “Milbrook tests according to its customers’ requirements, according to the legislation where it’s doing legislative, for example, Type Approval testing. That legislation ascribes what Millbrook has to do it, how is has to do it, and what it has to do it with.

“European vehicle testing is witnessed by the respective Type Approval authorities. Millbrook runs those tests according to the ascribed legislation and the NEDC test cycle etc.

“Millbrook is wholly independent of any manufacturers and supports and works with the industry as a whole as well as the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to keep it informed.”

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