Volkswagen's diesel scandal, explained

The Verge

24 Sept 201502:31

Summary

TLDRThe EPA recently exposed Volkswagen and Audi for using a 'defeat device' in some diesel cars made between 2009 and 2015 to circumvent emissions laws. These devices tricked regulatory tests, showing compliance while emitting up to 40 times more pollutants under normal driving conditions. The sophisticated software detected test conditions by monitoring steering wheel position, speed, engine runtime, and atmospheric pressure. Volkswagen's CEO has resigned, and the company faces serious legal and financial repercussions, including potential recalls and class action lawsuits.

Takeaways

🚗 Last Friday, the EPA announced that some Volkswagen and Audi cars made between 2009 and the current year were using a 'defeat device' to circumvent emissions laws.
💻 Modern cars, including the implicated Volkswagen and Audi models, are equipped with numerous computers that control engine functions, including emissions management.
🛠️ Diesel engines, like those in the affected Volkswagen and Audi cars, have a 'NOx trap' that reduces harmful nitrogen oxide emissions, which works best with a specific amount of unburned fuel.
🔍 The defeat device is a software program that tricks emissions tests by altering the car's performance to meet standards when in fact it does not.
🌟 The affected Volkswagen models were known for their good fuel economy, but the NOx trap's effectiveness was compromised when the car was not in test mode, leading to increased emissions.
🔑 The defeat device could detect an official emissions test by monitoring various parameters like steering wheel position, speed, engine runtime, and atmospheric pressure.
🚫 The sophisticated system used by Volkswagen to deceive emissions tests is not accidental and indicates deliberate corporate deception.
👨‍💼 The scandal led to the resignation of Volkswagen's CEO, Martin Winterkorn, highlighting the severity of the issue for the company.
🚦 For the half a million owners of the affected diesel vehicles, they are still safe to drive until a recall is issued by Volkswagen, which will likely involve a software update.
💼 Class action lawsuits are being prepared, and car owners may eventually receive compensation for the deceit, although this process will take time.

Q & A

What is a 'defeat device' as mentioned in the context of Volkswagen and Audi cars?
-A 'defeat device' is a special program inside a car's computer system designed to make it appear as if the vehicle meets emission standards during testing, even when it does not.
Why do modern cars have computers inside them?
-Modern cars have computers to coordinate engine functions for optimal performance while ensuring that emissions are within legal limits, by controlling parameters like fuel-to-air ratio and sensor data.
How do diesel engines in Volkswagen and Audi models cheat on emissions tests?
-The cheating models use a defeat device that detects when an emissions test is being conducted and adjusts the fuel usage to make the NOx trap work effectively, reducing emissions temporarily.
What is a NOx trap and why is it significant for diesel engines?
-A NOx trap is a device that absorbs and traps nitrogen oxides, which are pollutants. It is significant for diesel engines because it helps reduce harmful emissions, and its effectiveness is enhanced with the presence of unburned fuel.
How does the defeat device in Volkswagen and Audi cars detect an emissions test?
-The defeat device uses a sophisticated system that checks various parameters such as steering wheel position, speed, engine run time, and atmospheric pressure to determine if the car is undergoing an official emissions test.
What are the consequences of using a defeat device for Volkswagen and Audi?
-The consequences include legal troubles, damage to the company's reputation, potential fines, and the resignation of the CEO, as well as the need to recall and update the software in affected vehicles.
What should owners of affected Volkswagen and Audi diesel cars do?
-Owners can continue to drive their cars until a recall is issued. They may also be eligible for compensation through potential class action lawsuits in the future.
How might the software update affect the performance of affected Volkswagen and Audi cars?
-The software update to remove the defeat device might result in reduced fuel efficiency, as the car will no longer be able to cheat on emissions tests and will have to operate within the actual emission standards.
What are the potential legal actions against Volkswagen due to the defeat device scandal?
-Potential legal actions include class action lawsuits from car owners, fines from regulatory agencies, and possible criminal charges for the company and individuals involved in the deception.
What is the impact of the defeat device on the environment?
-The defeat device allows the car to emit up to 40 times more pollutants into the atmosphere when not undergoing an emissions test, significantly contributing to air pollution and environmental harm.
How did the EPA discover the use of defeat devices in Volkswagen and Audi cars?
-The EPA discovered the use of defeat devices through its own testing and investigation, which revealed discrepancies between the cars' emissions during testing and real-world driving conditions.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Volkswagen Emission Scandal Explained

The EPA revealed that certain Volkswagen and Audi diesel vehicles manufactured between 2009 and the present have utilized a 'defeat device' to circumvent emissions regulations. This device is a software program within the car's computer system that detects when the vehicle is undergoing an emissions test. During the test, the car operates the NOx trap efficiently by using more fuel, which results in compliant emissions. However, once on the road, the defeat device deactivates, leading to as much as 40 times the allowable pollutants being emitted. The detection system is sophisticated, analyzing factors like steering wheel position and atmospheric pressure to discern official tests from regular driving conditions. This intentional deception has led to serious repercussions for Volkswagen, including the resignation of their CEO, Martin Winterkorn. Affected owners can continue driving their vehicles until a recall is issued, but they may experience reduced fuel efficiency after necessary software updates. Class action lawsuits are anticipated, potentially leading to compensation for owners in the future.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Defeat device

A defeat device is a software or hardware that is designed to manipulate the output of a vehicle's emissions control system to pass regulatory tests under laboratory conditions, while not performing as well in real-world driving conditions. In the video, Volkswagen and Audi diesel cars are accused of using such a device to appear compliant with emissions standards during tests but emitting up to 40 times more pollutants during normal operation.

💡Emissions laws

Emissions laws are regulations put in place to limit the amount of pollutants that vehicles can emit into the atmosphere. These laws are designed to protect the environment and public health by ensuring that vehicles do not release excessive amounts of harmful substances. The video discusses how Volkswagen's defeat device circumvented these laws, leading to significant environmental and legal repercussions.

💡Computers in cars

Modern cars are equipped with numerous computers that control various aspects of the vehicle's operation, including engine performance and emissions. These computers process data from sensors and adjust the vehicle's systems in real-time. The video explains that Volkswagen's defeat device was a program within these computers, which was able to detect when the car was undergoing an emissions test and alter its performance accordingly.

💡Diesel engines

Diesel engines are a type of internal combustion engine that use diesel fuel and are known for their fuel efficiency and torque. However, they also produce higher levels of certain pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx). The video discusses how Volkswagen's diesel engines used a defeat device to manipulate emissions data, particularly affecting the performance of the NOx trap.

💡NOx trap

A NOx trap is a device used in diesel engines to reduce the emission of nitrogen oxides, which are pollutants that contribute to smog and acid rain. The trap absorbs and stores these pollutants until they can be released in a controlled manner during a 'regeneration' process. The video explains that Volkswagen's defeat device affected the operation of the NOx trap, leading to higher emissions when the device was not in use during normal driving.

💡Emissions test

An emissions test is a procedure conducted to measure the amount of pollutants emitted by a vehicle. It is typically performed to ensure compliance with emissions laws. The video describes how Volkswagen's defeat device was able to detect when the car was undergoing such a test and adjust its performance to meet the required standards, only to revert to higher emissions levels once the test was completed.

💡Fuel economy

Fuel economy refers to the efficiency of a vehicle's fuel consumption, often measured in miles per gallon (mpg) or kilometers per liter (km/L). Diesel engines, like those in the Volkswagen and Audi vehicles discussed in the video, are known for their good fuel economy. However, the video reveals that Volkswagen's defeat device compromised the NOx trap's effectiveness, which in turn affected fuel economy when the device was not in use.

💡Recall

A recall is a safety procedure initiated by a manufacturer to correct a defect or non-compliance issue with a product, often involving the repair or replacement of the affected components. In the context of the video, Volkswagen may need to issue a recall to update the software in the affected vehicles to ensure they comply with emissions standards without the use of a defeat device.

💡Class action lawsuits

A class action lawsuit is a type of legal action where a large group of people collectively sue a defendant for a wrong done to them. In the video, it is mentioned that lawyers are preparing class action lawsuits on behalf of the owners of the affected Volkswagen and Audi vehicles, as they may have suffered financial losses due to the emissions scandal.

💡Martin Winterkorn

Martin Winterkorn is referenced in the video as the CEO of Volkswagen who stepped down in the wake of the emissions scandal. His resignation symbolizes the significant impact the scandal had on the company's leadership and public image, highlighting the severity of the deception and the need for accountability at the highest levels of the organization.

Highlights

EPA announced that Volkswagen and Audi cars made between 2009 and 2015 used a 'defeat device' to bypass emissions laws.

Modern cars use computers to coordinate engine functions for optimal performance and to ensure low emissions.

Diesel engines in Volkswagen and Audi models have a computer-controlled parameter for unburned fuel in the exhaust.

Unburned fuel enhances the effectiveness of a NOx trap, which captures nitrogen oxides, a pollutant.

A 'defeat device' is a program that makes it appear as if the car meets emission standards when it does not.

Volkswagen's diesel engines were known for good fuel economy, but the NOx trap works best with more fuel usage.

The defeat device detects emissions tests and adjusts the car's performance to meet standards temporarily.

Once on the road and away from the test, the device turns off, leading to increased fuel efficiency but up to 40 times more pollutants.

The EPA identified a sophisticated system in the software that detects official emissions tests, indicating intentional deception.

Volkswagen's CEO, Martin Winterkorn, stepped down in the wake of the scandal.

Owners of affected Volkswagen and Audi diesel vehicles can still drive their cars safely until a recall is issued.

Volkswagen will likely need to update the software in affected cars, potentially reducing fuel efficiency.

Lawyers are preparing for class action lawsuits, which may result in compensation for car owners in the future.

The affected models include Volkswagen Jettas, Beetles, Golfs, Passats, and Audi A3s.

The scandal has serious implications for Volkswagen's reputation and financial stability.

The sophisticated nature of the defeat device software suggests a deliberate effort to deceive emissions tests.

The impact of the scandal extends beyond Volkswagen, raising questions about the integrity of emissions testing in the automotive industry.