VW’s Emissions Cheating Found by Curious Clean-Air Group

A university lab in West Virginia, a state known for coal-mining and rejecting clean-air regulations, conducted exhaust tests that have rattled Volkswagen and a marketing strategy on “clean” diesel. Volkswagen is based in Germany, a country that promotes policies to protect the environment and stem climate change. The International Council on Clean Transportation had wanted to show European manufacturers that clean diesel is feasible, and anticipated US cars to test well: “The U.S. has higher emissions standards than the rest of the world and a history of enforcing them,” write Jeff Plungis and Dana Hull. The council turned to West Virginia University. “The school’s Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines and Emissions had the right equipment – a portable emission measurement system to stick in the car trunk, attached to a probe to shove up the exhaust pipe.” The researchers tested three cars, driving them for 1,300 miles: the BMW passed, but the Volkswagens showed high emissions. Company engineers admitted to installing software designed to lower emissions during test conditions. More than 11 million vehicles, including those in Europe and China, may be affected. The US Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency are investigating. The CEO has resigned. – YaleGlobal