According to Anant Geete, the Union Heavy Industries Minister in the Government of India, Volkswagen cars have been found to emit nine times more than the permissible limit.

The minister claims that in tests conducted by the Automotive Research Association of India at factories, emissions from Volkswagen cars were within the permissible limits. However, Volkswagen cars on the road were found to emit nine times more than the norms permit. This is due to the cars being fitted with a defeat device.

In December 2015, the Volkswagen Group recalled close to 3.24 lakh cars in India. These cars included various models from the Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen brands. All cars were equipped with engines from the EA 189 family. This family includes 1.2-litre, 1.5-litre, 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesel engines.

In the same month, Volkswagen issued a statement claiming that it had not used any defeat device in its cars in India and the recall was issued to update the software on the 2.0-litre and 1.2-litre engines and fit flow transformers on the 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre units. The company still maintains that it has not used any defeat device in its cars.

Volkswagen had admitted that 11 million vehicles worldwide were fitted with the defeat device. The company faces huge fines in some countries. In India, the transport ministry has to decide whether to take action against the German auto major or not.

Source: Economic Times