Volkswagen Internal Investigation Finds Carbon Dioxide Emissions Issue With 800,000 Vehicles
With nearly 11 million vehicles worldwide already emitting nearly 40 times the allowable rate of nitrogen oxide, Volkswagen says an internal investigation found about 800,000 additional vehicles may have issues with carbon dioxide emissions, too.
The German carmaker announced on Tuesday that an internal investigation found “irregularities” when determining CO2 levels.
The issue was found during the company’s ongoing review of processes and workflows in connection with diesel engines. VW did not disclose which vehicles were affected by the new issue.
Investigators found that CO2 levels and fuel consumption figures for some models were set too low during the carbon certification process.
“Based on present knowledge around 800,000 vehicles from the Volkswagen Group could be affected,” the company said in a statement. “An initial estimate puts the economic risks at approximately two billion euros (about $2.19 billion).”
The company says it will immediately start talks with regulators about the irregularities.
“From the very start I have pushed hard for the relentless and comprehensive clarification of events,” Matthias Müller, CEO of Volkswagen, said in a statement. “We will stop at nothing and nobody. This is a painful process, but it is our only alternative. For us, the only thing that counts is the truth.”
The company says the safety of the affected vehicles is not compromised by the issue.
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