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Has VW been polluting our environment too, with its ‘not-so-clean’ software?
View(s):Sri Lanka is concerned whether embattled German carmaker Volkswagen’s diesel vehicles sold in Sri Lanka had misled local emission tests, similar to the manner in the United States where a probe is on which could result in possible fines of over US$18 billion for cheating, officials said.
The Motor Traffic Department (MTD) will consult the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the Environmental Ministry to assess the impact of this issue on Sri Lanka’s environment and local emission standards, before arriving at a decision, Motor Traffic Commissioner General A.H.K Jagath Chandrasiri told the SundayTimes.
He noted that the MTD will have to check with its Vehicle Emission Testing (VET) Division, other relevant authorities and experts to ascertain whether this issue is applicable here. “We are inquiring into the matter in accordance with Sri Lanka’s emission standards,” he said, adding that, the MTD is watching the situation closely at present.
He noted that we have a proper operating VET programme and industrial emission control system, as well as key air quality management tools. When contacted, Senok Trade Combine (Pvt) Ltd, the local agent of Volkswagen, Director, Reeza Rauf told the Sunday Times that the company will look into all aspects of this issue, safeguarding the interests of their customers, as it is their responsibility.
However, he noted that this matter is not a technical default, only a software related issue which is under investigation.
He declined to comment on whether the crisis facing Volkswagen would impact on the global company’s plan to set up an assembly plant in Kurunegala district.
“Volkswagens sold in Sri Lanka were more than 100% compatible to the country’s vehicle emission standard,” he said, adding that, no one should entertain unnecessary alarm with regard to US investigations and their actions. He pointed out that the US issue had been related to NOx (nitrogen oxide) emission controls in VW diesel vehicles in which they detected the emission level in excess of the allowable limit.
However, Sri Lanka is considering carbon monoxide (CO) level in accordance with the present vehicle emission standards and the country does not have NOx standards, he emphasized. Mr. Rauf asserted that VW Clean air Diesel vehicle issue had been blown up out of proportions and has no relevance to Sri Lanka.
He said there was no need to recall VWs in the country, and assured customers that this matter will not affect them as it was not a technical fault in VW engines. Most of these disputed cars are in Europe, he said, adding that cars with diesel engines sold here in Sri Lanka have not been affected and comply with the country’s air pollution regulations.
W.K. Wegapitiya, Chief of Laugfs Eco Sri Ltd, the VET service provider in Sri Lanka, said they can detect any VW vehicle which exceeds the country’s emission standards, as it operates over 100 fixed centres and around 150 mobile locations islandwide.
He pointed out that Sri Lanka follows British emission standards and the company has modern state-of-the-art equipment to conduct emission checks.
Mr. Wegapitiya believes the Volkswagen local agent needs to create awareness on this matter among its clients and take necessary action.
How the Volkswagen crisis unfolded
* Volkswagen had been installing elaborate software in 482,000 “clean diesel” vehicles sold in the US, so that the cars’ pollution controls only worked when being tested for emissions. The rest of the time, the vehicles could freely spew hazardous, smog-forming compounds.
* The Environmental Protection Agency announced that Volkswagen had very flagrantly violated the Clean Air Act.
* On Tuesday, Volkswagen admitted that some 11 million clean diesel cars sold worldwide contain software to fool regulators, with the vast majority of cars likely to be in Europe.
* Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn, announced his resignation on Wednesday.
* The company has halted US sales of its 2015 and 2016 clean diesel vehicles and now has to fix millions of existing cars. It has already set aside $7.3 billion to deal with the problem.
* Volkswagen could face criminal prosecution — not to mention billions of dollars in fines. The Clean Air Act allows a fine of $ 37,500 per noncompliant vehicle.