Скачать или смотреть Volkswagen scandal: 11 million cars worldwide affected by emissions test-beating cheat

Originally published on 23 September, 2015

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Automobile manufacturer Volkswagen has admitted to cheating on emissions tests, which in turn has affected 11 million cars worldwide.

Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency say Volkswagen has installed an algorithm in vehicles that switches the emissions-control on and off when one of their diesel-powered cars undergo emissions testing.

Diesel engines are more durable, while diesel fuel is also cheaper and can have up to 30 percent more mileage in a gallon of fuel than petrol-powered vehicles. However, isel engines emit more nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which could result in smog formation, according to VOX Explained.

According to VOX Explained, an independant group — International Council on Clean Transportation — joined forces with researchers from West Virginia University when they noticed varied emission rates during field-testing of two Volkswagen vehicles. Volkswagen admitted to tampering with the emissions test when the EPA reportedly threatened to not approve the 2016 line of diesel-powered vehicles.

According to the EPA, the algorithm tracks steering wheel position, pedal movements and atmospheric pressure to determine whether the vehicle is in a lab for testing. Full emissions control will be turned on during testing and off during normal driving conditions to maximize engine performance.

The cheat has resulted in vehicles emitting up to 40 times more nitrogen oxides than what is considered standard, the EPA said.

Volkswagen may be fined up to US$18 billion for violating the Clean Air Act.

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