NC State professor Chris Frey started a private study testing Volkswagen diesels in real-world conditions because of the recent Volkswagen emissions scandal.
The German car manufacturers recalled about 500,000 cars in the United States, and millions more worldwide, after lying on their emissions tests. Certain Diesel Volkswagen models were fitted with devices that were triggered during tests conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency. After the device was triggered, the car’s performance was lowered, thus producing less amounts of nitrogen oxide gas (NOx).
The emissions of these vehicles ranged from 10 to 50 times higher than the allowed standard of emissions, which is 0.05 g of NOx per mile according to Frey, a professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering and former chairperson of EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee.
NOx gas is harmful in three ways: (1) it is harmful to humans, especially those with asthma, when inhaled; (2) it reacts with sunlight to form the dangerous gas: ozone; and (3) the nitrate matter can cause cardiovascular disease and premature death, according to Frey.
Frey has recruited four vehicles so far for his study and plans on recruiting more.
“I do an over-the-road test where I instrument the car with an emission measurement system,” Frey said. “I also log data from the electronic control unit. I use GPS receivers with optimeter to get a position and change in road flow.”
Frey said his research assistants are helping him analyze the data and create an emission summary for the vehicles in his study.
“I believe these vehicles have the ability to be low-emitting,” Frey said.
Frey plans on measuring these vehicles once more in the coming months to see if Volkswagen’s recall will be effective. Frey’s previous involvement with the EPA is not affecting his study.
“I have communicated with some colleagues at EPA, but they are not ready to say much publicly,” he said.
Frey has seen similar scandals before, but said, “[What Volkswagen has done] is an egregious violation that borders on stupidity.”
In his time with the EPA, Frey ran an emissions test on a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta that was 14 times higher than the allowed standard.
Frey noted that there was a similar scandal in 2005 where truck manufacturers programmed their electronic control units to recognize when they were being tested.
“The tests are public to everyone, so it was easy to cheat,” Frey said.
After being caught and fined, the German manufacturers entered a consent decree with the EPA. This new regulation required Volkswagen to test its engines in the lab and on the road. The engines also had to operate under multiple conditions that were different from the test, according to Frey.
David Robertson, a sophomore studying finance and Volkswagen CC owner, said he thinks that what Volkswagen has done seems like something out of a movie.
“It’s like the terrorists in a bad action movie put microchips on my car to distribute poisonous gas,” Robertson said.
According to Frey, it is still unclear why Volkswagen chose to lie on its emissions tests.
“The punishments far outweigh any possible benefits,” Frey said.
While Volkswagen is paying more than $7 billion to reclaim the vehicles, the company could face up to $18 billion in finesfrom the EPA.