The Volkswagen has proposed Defeat Device emissions software fixes for EA 189 diesel engines meeting the European standards to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority on November 25, 2015. This development comes after the claim made by the Environmental Protection Agency (USA) wherein the Volkswagen EA 189 diesel engines were emitting more Nitrogen Oxide than legally allowed.
Volkswagen had developed a Defeat Device which is a highly advance software to detect test environment and significantly reduce dangerous emissions by turning on the control systems. Upon completion of the test, the software is designed to turn off this regulator which does result in better vehicle performance but the exhaust gases can become 10-40 times dirtier resulting violation of applicable emission guidelines laid out since 2008. “We expected better from Volkswagen, these violations are very serious” said the EPA during one of their conference calls.
As of now, software upgrades will have to be made against both 2.0 and 1.6 litre engines in European cars; however, the latter will also be installed with a “flow transformer” right in front of air mass sensor. This will calm the churned air flow and will provide an accurate air mass sensor reading to regulate optimum engine combustion.“The technical measure is developed to achieve emission targets without effecting engine performance, however, the model variants will have to be checked before which achievement of targets cannot be measured”, confirmed Volkswagen.
Around 325,000 cars will need extensive changes including software and hardware upgrades that might also include urea systems. A buyback can also be a result for these extensive changes. A stop sale order for all Volkswagen 2015 vehicles equipped with 2.0 litre engine has been issued.
The Volkswagen has also submitted its plan to EPA and California Air Resources Board the details of which are still awaited.