Automaker Volkswagen announced on Tuesday that 11 million of its vehicles were outfitted with software designed to cheat emissions tests worldwide. Half a million of these rigged vehicles are in the United States.
The company admitted in a statement on Tuesday that it intentionally installed software that was programmed to switch engines into a cleaner state of operation during emissions tests. When the test is completed, the software switches off to enable a more powerful performance while emitting 40 times the legal emissions limit. The software was installed on VW’s Type EA 189 engines.
“A noticeable deviation between bench test results and actual road use was established solely for this type of engine,” said VW’s statement. “Volkswagen is working intensely to eliminate these deviations through technical measures.”
VW is scrambling right now as it attempts worldwide damage control. The company contends that the software only affects a small number of vehicles.
For more on this story, visit the Huffington Post “11 Million Volkswagens were Fitted With Software at Center of Emissions Scandal”
