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Speculative theory
Volkswagen emissionsAtlas
Economy & Corporations · Corporate cover-ups & malfeasance
A West Virginia University study reported elevated on-road emissions from Volkswagen diesel vehicles compared with expected regulatory performance. A whistleblower account stated that diesel emissions data concerning Volkswagen was provided to the EPA in 2014 before the scandal became public.
Open the caseVolkswagen3
- Documented · Researchers reported identifying computer code in vehicle onboard systems that Volkswagen used to cheat emissions tests.
- Official · Volkswagen installed software defeat devices in certain diesel vehicles that reduced emissions controls during laboratory testing while allowing higher emissions in normal driving.
- Contested · A whistleblower account stated that diesel emissions data concerning Volkswagen was provided to the EPA in 2014 before the scandal became public.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology1
- Documented · An MIT-led analysis estimated that excess emissions linked to Volkswagen’s defeat devices would cause on the order of sixty premature deaths in the United States.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency1
- Documented · The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency obtained and later released FOIA materials concerning Volkswagen emissions rigging.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission1
- Documented · The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged Volkswagen and a former chief executive with defrauding bond investors in connection with Clean Diesel emissions fraud.
West Virginia University1
- Documented · A West Virginia University study reported elevated on-road emissions from Volkswagen diesel vehicles compared with expected regulatory performance.
Zero Emission Vehicle Program1
- Official · Volkswagen’s emissions cheating led to major settlements, civil and regulatory actions, and legislative scrutiny including questions about Zero Emission Vehicle program implementation.
Other1
- Documented · Related public-health research cited in accountability reporting estimated on the order of twelve hundred premature deaths in Europe from excess particulate matter and NOx associated with the defeat devices.