CARB and U.S. EPA approve emissions modification for limited number of VW 2.0 liter diesel vehicles

CARB and U.S. EPA approve emissions modification for limited
number of VW 2.0 liter diesel vehicles

First approved modification is for “Generation 3” 2015 vehicles



SACRAMENTO — The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) today announced
approval of an emissions modification for a limited number of the
Volkswagen 2.0 liter diesel vehicles with a so-called defeat
device. The vehicles eligible for this modification are referred
to as “Generation 3” and appeared for a single year only, in
model year 2015.

In September 2015, Volkswagen representatives admitted to CARB
and U.S. EPA the presence of a defeat device in 2.0 liter diesel
passenger vehicles sold in model years 2009-2015. This device, in
the form of a set of software commands, engaged the car’s
emissions control system to deliver legal levels of nitrogen
oxide (NOx) when the car was being tested for emissions in the
laboratory. Once on the open road and out of the lab, however,
the defeat device compromised operation of the emissions control
system resulting in excess emissions of NOx at levels well beyond
legal limits. Volkswagen sold approximately a half-million of the
affected diesel vehicles in the U.S. including about 71,000 in
California. This modification applies to more than 10,000 of
those cars in California.

"This is one more step on the road to cleaning up the mess
created by Volkswagen’s deception, but it is by no means the last
step,” said CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols. “There are more
modifications to come for other model years, and further
penalties to be decided."

Because of the presence of the defeat device, these vehicles
emitted up to 40 times the NOx allowed under their certification
requirements. NOx emissions contribute to the formation of ozone,
and can worsen symptoms of asthma and cardio-pulmonary disease.
About 10 million Californians live in what U.S. EPA considers
severe non-attainment areas for ozone. Volkswagen is paying more
than $1.2 billion to the State of California to mitigate past
excess NOx emissions of all 2.0 liter diesel cars, including any
future emissions these cars may produce.

A partial consent decree approved by a federal judge in October
http://www.cand.uscourts.gov/filelibrary/1776/Partial-Consent-Decree.pdf
contains about 60 pages of detailed standards, requirements and
criteria (known as Appendix B) in order for a proposed
modification of these vehicles to be accepted.

There are several different generations of engine technology in
these vehicles, depending on their age. The current accepted
modification is for 2015 “Generation 3” models only and involves
the installation of a second NOx sensor and a new or replacement
diesel oxidation catalyst. This modification will reduce excess
emissions from the affected vehicles by 80 to 90 percent. Owners
of the affected 2.0 liter diesel cars have the option of getting
their vehicle modified or taking an offer from Volkswagen to buy
back the vehicle. Lessees may cancel their leases without
additional cost or penalty. Volkswagen must notify owners of
vehicles eligible for modification within 10 days of this
announcement.

U.S. EPA’s statement and other information is here:
https://www.epa.gov/vw/announcements-volkswagen-violations

CARB Modification FAQ is here:
https://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/vw_info/vw_faq.htm

Volkswagen page is here: https://www.vwdieselinfo.com/