Volkswagen Emissions

Scandal
HSS 201 | Professional Ethics and Values
Maulik Jain - U101113FCS094
Sachit Shivam - U101113FCS133

What Volkswagen Did

Cheated in emissions tests by making their cars appear far less polluting than
they are
Intentionally programmed ECUs in diesel engines to activate equipment that
reduced emissions during testing
The programming caused the NOx emissions to meet regulation limits during
testing but cars actually emitted 40 times the regulated amount in regular
driving

Cars Affected

Volkswagen admitted after

getting caught that the
cheat affects 11 million cars
worldwide

How They Did It

 The EPA tests have known practices and profiles.

In many cases, the test vehicles are put on rollers and run at a certain speed
for a certain time, then at another known speed for another known period.
The car's central computer can detect whether inputs match those expected
in test conditions.

 Speedometer, steering wheel sensors and air pressure sensors send data to
ECU
Computer recognises that it is under test conditions and switches on a dyno
calibration, which alters the working of the engine to minimise emissions

How They Got Caught

An NGO, the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT),
performed independent and crucially on-road emissions tests, on the VW
Passat, the VW Jetta, and a BMW X5.

These tests followed five routes on similar lines to the EPA simulations:
highway, urban, suburban and rural up/downhill driving.

The emissions performance of the Volkswagen, but not the BMW, cars was
so much worse than expectations that the ICCT ran further tests on a
dynamometer.
In these circumstances, the cars passed with flying colours. It was at this
point that the ICCT contacted the EPA.

How It Affects Us
NOx, especially NO2 has adverse effects on health and the environment
The fumes can cause inflammation of the airways and worsen breathing for
anyone. But NOx emissions can also react with other compounds to cause
more serious respiratory conditions and aggravate heart problems. Long-term
exposure to the pollution leads to asthma, bronchitis and emphysema
Nitrogen oxides contribute to ozone formation and can have adverse effects
on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Nitrogen oxides in the air can
significantly contribute to a number of environmental effects such as acid rain
and eutrophication

How It Affected Them

VW is instructed by the EPA to recall affected cars
VW showed contrition, former CEO Martin Winterkorn said he is I personally
am deeply sorry that we have broken the trust of our customers and the
public

The German government warns that the scandal jeopardises the reputation
of the countrys entire car industry

Winterkorn resigns and walks away with $28m in pension, insists he is not
aware of any wrongdoing on [his] part
The company posted its first quarterly loss in at least 15 years

 Sales of affected cars halted in the United States

Several high-ranking executives suspended

VW needs to set aside $7.3 billion to cover the cost of bringing vehicles with
illegal software into compliance with emissions standards

The corporation faces investigation in the US, a possible $18bn fine and
criminal charges and civil actions could follow

What we can learn from this

Prior to this debacle, Volkswagen was leading in worldwide annual car sales
This goes to show that no corporation, even one as highly regarded as
Volkswagen, is above reproach
All corporations are in business to make money, and we shouldnt let them
convince us otherwise

Questions?

Thank You