2015-09-28

Volkswagen emissions violations

Timeline

1999 New Tier 2 rules established to replace Tier 1. NOx limit decreasing from 1.0 g/mi to .07 g/mi
2004-2009 Phase in period of diesel emissions rules
2007 VW suspends sales of current diesel lines awaiting technology to meet new standards
2008 VW announces new Clean Diesel cars
2009 Tier 2 fully in effect, VW TDI cars go on sale
2009-2015 VW diesel sales in the US rebound, Clean Diesels win several enviornmental awards, receive tax breaks
2014 International Council on Clean Transportation asks WVU CAFEE to help demonstrate the benefits of US diesel technology, hoping to have Europe follow suit
May 2014 Instead, CAFEE finds discrepancies showing poor on-road emissions. Results presented at public forum and published, getting attention of EPA
2014-2015 EPA repeats tests, and contacts VW for explanation of poor real world NOx emissions
December 2014 VW orders voluntary recall of TDI cars but CARB and EPA not satisfied
September 3, 2015 EPA threatens to not certify 2016 diesels, VW responds by admitting software was programmed to cheat testing
September 18, 2015 Public announcement by EPA of order to recall 2009-2015 cars
September 20, 2015 VW admits deception, issues public apology
September 21, 2015 First business day after news, VW stock down 20%
September 22, 2015 VW to spend $7.3B to cover costs of scandal; stock declines another 17%
September 23, 2015 CEO Winterkorn resigns