# Why we are suspending Volkswagen diesel Green Scores on greenercars.org

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/09/suspending-vehicles-volkswagen-diesel-green/
- Published: 2015-09-26T13:30:00-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## by Shruti Vaidyanathan, Senior Transportation Researcher

On September 18th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) slapped the Volkswagen
Group with a notice of violation (link is external) of the Clean Air Act for circumventing
EPA emission standards for [nitrogen oxides](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/12/epa-funding-to-reduce-air-pollution-from-locomotives-and-buses-operating-in-brooklyn-the-bronx-queens-and-nassau-and-rockland-counties/)(
NOx). Volkswagen has now acknowledged using so-called “defeat devices” on its diesel
cars that turn on full emissions control technologies while in testing mode but 
allow the vehicles to emit nitrogen oxide levels up to 40 times the certified level
during normal operation. In the United States,

![Audi VW diesel](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/
audiresize.jpg?resize=420%2C280&quality=52&ssl=1)

Audi Production in Foshan (China)
The Audi A3 Sportback* and the Audi A3 Sedan* (
picture) have been driving off the assembly lines in Foshan since 2014.

Volkswagen will be forced to recall half a million vehicles. For that’s including
the diesel versions of the popular Jetta. Also the Jetta Sportwagen, Beetle, Beetle
Convertible, Golf, [Golf Sportwagen](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/07/test-drive-results-vw-golf-sportwagen/),
Passat, and Audi A3 models. That’s for model years 2009 to 2015.

In response to these events, greenercars.org has suspended Green Scores for the 
affected vehicles until further notice, since these scores are no longer reasonable
estimations of the environmental impact of the Volkswagen diesels. Volkswagen’s 
diesel cars have performed well on ACEEE’s annual rankings since 2009, hovering 
just below our list of the top twelve “Greenest” vehicles with Green Scores in the
high 40s. However, a 40-fold increase in on-road NOx would mean that these vehicles
did not deserve those high Green Scores…

#### Conclusion

As of October 2015, Volkswagen had sold more than 11 million diesel cars worldwide.
In addition. the scandal regarding Volkswagen’s use of software to cheat on U.S.
emissions tests is a major issue. This has led to a “massive crisis” for the car
company. The scandal is still unfolding, and it’s unclear how many vehicles have
been affected by this scandal.
In the future, it’s possible that other automakers
may be affected by this scandal. If you own a Volkswagen diesel car and you are 
concerned about this issue, you may want to make an appointment with your local 
dealership to discuss this with an employee.

To continue reading this blog post, visit: [http://greenercars.org/news/blog/giant-step-backward-diesel-vehicles-why-we-are-suspending-volkswagen-diesel-green-scores](http://greenercars.org/news/blog/giant-step-backward-diesel-vehicles-why-we-are-suspending-volkswagen-diesel-green-scores)

**_ACEEE:_** The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy [aceee.org](https://web.archive.org/web/20190824231044/https://aceee.org/)

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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