EPA may fine VW

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Cash68

K, I want to know if this is actually a big deal in terms of emissions, or the media blowing things out of proportions (like they always do).

I get that it's illegal...

but to the TDIs in question emit more or less pollution than a Ford F150?

US emission laws were written at a time when pollutants such as NOx and particulates were causing smog in dense cities and posing health concerns. Since then, cars have become cleaner due to fuel injection, catalytic converters, unleaded gasoline, exhaust gas recirculation, oxygen sensors, etc.

Smog is no longer the problem it once was, and the current war on pollution is aimed at CO2, since it is a major contributor to the human component of global warming.

Our current emission laws are out of date with the current environmental fad and needs to be revised. Diesels generally produce less CO2 per amount of energy produced, but at the cost of higher NOx emissions.

The environment is probably slightly "healthier" due to VW circumventing US emission laws since it encouraged many people to purchase a diesel passenger vehicle when no other options existed. Larger quantities of gasoline would have been consumed and more CO2 produced if the TDI was not an option.

That said, VW had an unfair competitive advantage that gave them huge profits in that market segment since they claimed a monopoly, and they should pay.

[Vman455]

Well, it's not entirely accurate to point at Europe as being fine with laxer NOx regulations. Attitudes there are changing as population centers develop smog problems tied to their love affair with diesel vehicles.

I don't know--we have a catch-22 here. Lower CO2/higher NOx or high NOx/low CO2 emissions? Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[user removed]

I like parts per mile for emissions, versus the parts per million fiasco that punishes a 60 mpg car for nox but allows a gas hog to produce several times the nox by weight in the same distance due to its much higher volume of total emissions, which if corrected would devastate the US car market.

regards
mech

[nimblemotors]

So much for 'clean diesel' .

They DO in fact regulate total emissions with a mandated average MPG of all cars sold or something along those lines.
All the pig diesels must be offset by clean cars.

[SoobieOut]

Been following this crisis for VW.

Appears the main issue here is outright fraud by the company to trick the test equipment.

The concept of self regulation by publicly traded companies is flawed.

The key decision makers all get stock options, so greed plays into every decision. I have worked for 3 Fortune 50 companies, the pressure tor quarterly profits has escalated in the past 5 years.

Also there is a new mantra in the corporate ranks, that is to "Encourage risk taking" to gain market share.

I hope VW pays big for this fraud. To make an example for the other companies. Maybe throw a few CEO's in jail. Hey they did it to Martha Stewart!

[SoobieOut]

Been following this crisis for VW.

Appears the main issue here is outright fraud by the company to trick the test equipment.

The concept of self regulation by publicly traded companies is flawed.

The key decision makers all get stock options, so greed plays into every decision. I have worked for 3 Fortune 50 companies, the pressure tor quarterly profits has escalated in the past 5 years.

Also there is a new mantra in the corporate ranks, that is to "Encourage risk taking" to gain market share.

I hope VW pays big for this fraud. To make an example for the other companies. Maybe throw a few CEO's in jail. Hey they did it to Martha Stewart!

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

...and Godwin's Law only took 29 posts.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

I like parts per mile for emissions, versus the parts per million fiasco that punishes a 60 mpg car for nox but allows a gas hog to produce several times the nox by weight in the same distance due to its much higher volume of total emissions, which if corrected would devastate the US car market.

regards
mech

What is even better is that many HD applications do not even need to meet the same standard on a PPM basis, why go after the low hanging fruit, right?

This is why I have long held that our emissions standards are not relevant anymore and need to be altered to address the largest sources of pollution upstream and consumer level.

We need to focus more strongly "nationwide" (not CA which is its own nation) on reducing Co2, period. Improved exhaust makeup can be driven by better fuel but reducing the amount of fuel consumed needs to be job 1 in a close tie with reducing industrial pollution sources.

Alas I digress.

[chefdave]

Vw emisson situtation has thrown up some interesting dilemas in uk. As our vehicle tax bands are linked to emissions. This effects company car tax and tax bandings. Thus uk gov is losing millions of pounds. In europe the manufacturer is lible for all losses how incured by their own negilance. Company car drivers could beforced to buy a new car to stay in same tax bracket. Also they where going to invest millions of pounds in developing a cutting edge formula 1 engine. In simple terms they have dropped one hell of a lead balloon as well as shoot themselves in own foot. Customers are so fickle about this so won't buy a vw even though it is only the 2.0 diesel at fault.

[Vman455]

And now, BMW stock is down more than 5% today on the allegation that an X3 diesel failed an emission test in Europe. The fun never stops!