Vw and the Emissions Testing Scandal

Car companies have made many promises over the years. From reduced emissions, to steady driving, to conserving fuel, car companies try to please the public with sometimes-ludicrous claims. Volkswagen is one of those companies, promising their customers cars the produce less emissions. They did deliver said promise. However, that was only in test mode. In fact, their cars produced more than expected outside of test mode. Volkswagen has not been all too transparent with their emission tests.

In fact, the company has actually cheated by giving the appearance that their cars create less pollution than they really do. The EPA discovered the true figures in recent years and revealed it to the public. "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency discovered that 482,000 VW diesel cars on American roads were emitting up to 40 times more toxic fumes than permitted - and VW has since admitted the cheat affects 11m cars worldwide" (Topham, Clarke, Levett, Scruton & Fidler, 2015).

This means bad news for the environment because a greater level of harmful NOx emissions that include nitrogen dioxide have been released into the air without buyers knowing. The extra amount falls between the ranges of 250,000 to 1 million tons per year. The extra level of pollution experts suggest equal to that of pollution produced by industry, power stations, and agriculture.

Although VW stated their cars release less pollution than they really do, in reality it was purely based on a program within the engine software that allows the car to perceive if the person drove it under test conditions. Only then would the car perform anti-pollution stops. The car was supposed to inject a urea-based solution to prevent NOx from being harmful and adjust exhaust flows and air-fuel ratios.

VW labeled the program "defeat device." " Since a car runs at a certain speed when in test mode, the "defeat device" detects test conditions by checking things like speed and road calibration. When it sense test mode, then it reduces emissions. When experts tested the VW cars and saw the dramatic increase in emissions, they contacted the EPA, especially after they saw the emissions were only reduced while in test mode.

Essentially VW made it look like it reduced emissions while in test mode and then did nothing to reduce emissions any other time. Fumes containing NOx are dangerous, especially when combined with other compounds. Studies have shown the link between high levels of NOx to an increase in premature deaths due to the increased risk of heart problems and respiratory conditions. "Long-term exposure to the pollution hastens death: research this year linked high levels of NOx to 9,500 premature deaths annually in London alone" (Topham, Clarke, Levett, Scruton & Fidler, 2015).

VW were forced to recall almost half a millions cars in the United States as well as halting sales of several of its models. "VW has issued a recall for its 482,000 cars in the U.S. and halted sales of its affected Audi A3, and VW Jetta, Beetle, Golf and Passat diesel models" (Topham, Clarke, Levett, Scruton & Fidler, 2015). Along with a recall and sales halt, VW may face an eighteen billion dollar fine, expecting to pay around eight billion on compensation and fixes.

They may also face civilian action and criminal charges. What this means for the car industry is governments and consumers will want and need to view all manufacturers' claims assessed and evaluated. The entire debacle highlights the concern of test results not matching real-life emissions. It also provides the public with the knowledge that companies may not be honest and may try to deceive in order to produce profit and improve sales.

Worries over diesel could see limits that are more stringent; however, many believe clean engines will not be produced, as it is too expensive. There are several lessons to be learned from the case of VW and emissions tests. As previously mentioned, the public is more informed now of the possible unscrupulous tactics of companies. For a company to sell the notion that their cars produce less pollution when in reality does not is a horrible example of greed and self-interest in business.

Essentially, their lie affected millions of people's health because of the unsuspected increase in exposure to harmful emissions. The other lesson is that companies if engaging in such practices can and will be caught and faced with severe penalties. Hopefully now that the EPA showed the unlawful behavior of VW, other.