VW manipulated diesel emissions tests in Europe, says German minister

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: BBC

Germany's transport minister says Volkswagen has admitted using the same fake emissions test in Europe as it used to falsify results in the US.

Alexander Dobrindt said it was not known how many of the 11 million vehicles affected were in Europe.
...
The company's Jetta, Beetle, Golf and Audi A3 models in the US from 2009 to 2015, and the Passat from 2014-15, were fitted with the devices which produced doctored results. However, diesel cars are far more popular in Europe than in the US.

He also said random tests would be conducted on cars made by manufacturers other than VW: "It is clear that the Federal Office for Motor Traffic will not exclusively concentrate on the VW models in question but that it will also carry out random tests on vehicles made by other carmakers."



Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34345210

[Chakab]

1. Let's stop beating around the bush. VW is likely not the only auto manufacturer who's done

this.

[Fred Sanders]

2. After the investigation revealing all the car manufactures lied, can they be forced to go electric?

Have not heard a lot of candidates speak on this....the only acceptable response would be condemnation of a major corporation and industry that no doubt gives millions to the candidates and politics.....once again example get how money is corrupting politics and policy to the detriment of us all.

Which is the main lesson that will remain unspoken, but you never know. Folks are genuinely outraged about this, and not the usual daily irrelevant outrages of petty things, this is the real deal.

Would seem a natural for devout socialist Sanders to speak out on.

[Fumesucker]

3. I'm possibly the biggest EV booster on DU and I don't think that's a good idea

For one thing there simply isn't battery manufacturing capacity to make all vehicles electric, not by a factor of at least ten.

Then you run into charging issues, there is a vast infrastructure of fuel stations that will have to replaced with even more charging stations since charging happens more often than refueling.

EVs are an insanely great idea whose time for mass implementation is here but forcing the issue will not help things.

“What the hell did you do to my Porsche? I just spent a quarter of a million dollars on this thing, and it sucks now!“

http://www.democraticunderground.com/112762709

[Fred Sanders]

4. I am thinking more like, say, 5% of all vehicles must be all electric by, say, 2020, and increased

thereafter...that would seem doable.....and, given the crime, a just consequence.

I am of the opinion that battery technology and energy storage technology advances will continue and will be revolutionary.

After all, what is gasoline but just an excellent energy storage device?

As for charging stations, all it takes is a plug in spot. Northern countries like Canada already have a vast system of outdoor and indoor electrical plugs to warm engines while parked...next to no system build out needed for them.


I would also think for profit charging stations would be much cheaper and safer to build and maintain than gas and diesel stations.

[MynameisBlarney]

5. Way to go VW

You just destroyed yourself with this bullshit.
I can't imagine anyone ever buying a VW ever again.

[patsimp]

7. I agree.

[patsimp]

6. This is the reason pure capitalism would destroy the world.

[whatthehey]

8. I don't think cars are a good industry to tout the advantages of non-capitalist production

The failings of command economy auto history are ... not insignificant.