Similar to what happened in the US, the emission level of Volkswagen’s Indian cars is perfect during lab tests, however, on-road tests show that the levels are nine times more than the permissible limit.

Volkswagen Polo 1.5 Engine Review
Internationally vehicles powered by EA189 engines are fitted with a defeat device

Volkswagen has been in news lately for the emission scandal in the US and Europe as the German automaker admitted that it fitted 11 million vehicles worldwide with a defeat device that senses an emission test and reduces the emission level while it emits way more than the permissible limit during on-road tests.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries in India has recently reported that Volkswagen cars in the country are fitted with a similar defeat device and the emission level of these cars is exceeding permissible limit by nine times. The ministry has also asked the Road Transport Ministry to take action against the German automaker.

3.24 lakh Volkswagen vehicles run on Indian roads which are claimed to have similar variations in laboratory and on-road tests while the manufacturer is reported to be planning to recall these vehicles as it did in other countries, however, it denies to have fitted any device and states that the vehicles have not violated BSIV emission norms.

It all started in December when the ministry asked ARAI to examine VW vehicles following the international scandal. The automaker recalled all the vehicles equipped with the EA189 diesel engine in December and offered free software updates to 2.0-litre and 1.2-litre engines while the 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre powerplants got a flow rectifier.

Volkswagen Emission Scandal

– Volkswagen cars in India are found to be emitting nine times more than the permissible limit
– The Ministry of Heavy Industries has asked the Road Transport Ministry to take action against the German automaker
– Volkswagen denies to have fitted any device and states that its vehicles have not violated BSIV emission norms
– The vehicles are fitted with a defeat device that keeps the emission levels in check during laboratory tests, however, it exceeds the limit during on-road tests

Volkswagen Ameo Launch Front
VW recently unveiled the Ameo compact sedan based on the Polo hatchback