The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday ordered Volkswagen to fix nearly 500,000 VW and Audi diesel cars that the agency said are intentionally violating clean air laws by using software that evades standards.
The cars include a device programmed to detect when they are undergoing official emissions testing, the EPA said, adding that the cars only turn on full emissions control systems during that testing. The controls are turned off during normal driving situations.
The affected cars include model year 2009-15 Jettas, Beetles, Golfs and Audi A3s and 2014-15 Passats.
The EPA said VW’s use of the device is illegal and is a threat to public health.
The violations do not present a safety hazard, and the cars remain legal to drive and sell.
The EPA said VW faces fines of up to $37,500 per vehicle for the violations — a total of more than $18 billion. The automaker said it is cooperating with the investigation. The Associated Press
