JT / The Environmental Blog on Flickr
This week the German automaker Volkswagen admitted to outfitting millions of cars worldwide with devices designed to cheat on emissions tests. As a result, these cars emitted dramatically more smog-causing pollution than allowed by clean air standards. The company is now under investigation in multiple countries around the world and faces a fine of up to $18 billion dollars under the Clean Air Act. While Volkswagen faces billions in fines, people around the world breathing dirtier air will pay with their health.
From 2009 to 2015, Volkswagen sold more than 11 million diesel cars with software designed to detect when the vehicles were being emissions tested and to turn off pollution control devices when not undergoing tests. As a result, these cars passed emissions tests, but emitted up to 40 times more nitrogen oxides than allowed by law, an ozone precursor, when operating. This smog-forming pollution will have significant health impacts, from asthma to heart and lung damage. Roughly half a million vehicles sold in the US, including certain diesel Jettas, Passats, Beetles and Golfs are impacted.
When faced with evidence of deception by the Environmental Protection Agency, Volkswagen denied the allegations for nearly a year. Finally, after the EPA threatened to withhold certification for Volkswagen’s 2016 diesel models, an extraordinary step, the company admitted to cheating.
Volkswagen now faces a wave of scrutiny and lawsuits. The United States has launched a criminal investigation into the company, searching for evidence of fraud by Volkswagen employees. Officials in France, Italy and South Korea have also launching investigations. Volkswagen’s stock has plummeted, wiping out nearly one-third of the company’s market value. Owners of affected vehicles, as well as VW shareholders, are readying lawsuits that could further impact the company.
Volkswagen is now in damage control mode. The company has launched massive recalls and set aside more than $7 billion dollars, equivalent to half a year of profits, to cover the costs of repairing impacted vehicles, complying with fines and settling lawsuits. CEO Martin Winterkorn apologized profusely to shareholders and the public before resigning this week.
Instead of relying on incremental technologies like “clean” diesels, car companies have shown they can meet emissions standards while developing cars that use not only less gas, but no gas at all. Today there are more than 20 models of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, offered by a range of automakers. Last week, Sierra Club, Plug In America, and the Electric Auto Association -together with many other local partners- presented National Drive Electric Week, with nearly 200 events nationwide showcasing the availability of plug-in electric vehicles.
It is critical that Volkswagen be held accountable for cheating emissions tests and leaving people around the world with dirtier air to breath. The increased smog-forming pollution from these vehicles will lead to a range of health issues, from asthma to heart and lung damage. Instead of cutting corners, the auto industry should focus on innovating and leading the way toward vehicles that make our air cleaner.
Image courtesy of JT / The Environmental Blog on Flickr.