Dieselgate: ARAI Won’t Test Volkswagen Cars Again After Recall

Coming in as a relief for Volkswagen, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has said that it will not retest the manufacturer’s cars on road once the recall process is over, as it would be ‘beyond the regulatory purview’.

"Retesting of cars will be carried out only to verify the regulatory conformance. Real driving emission measurement is not part of the regulations," the director of ARAI, Rashmi Urdhwareshe, told the Times of India. 

The German manufacturer has been in the eye of the storm since the dieselgate emissions scandal broke out in the US last year. Following the controversy in the West, the carmaker’s Indian arm was also found wanting in terms of regulations. 

The ARAI had found that certain VW cars fitted with the EA-189 engines emitted five to nine times more nitrogen oxide on road than in the laboratory. The Ministry of Heavy Industries had ordered a probe as a result, and the company was asked to recall the cars fitted with these engines.

After a forced delay due to prolonged approval process from the authorities, the carmaker finally initiated the recalls last week. The previous generation of the Skoda Superb was the first to be recalled and is set to be followed by cars bearing the Audi rings and the VW badge, in the coming days.

Volkswagen, however, has maintained that its Indian cars conform to the country’s emission norms as set under the prevalent BS-IV. As for the recall, the company claims that it wanted Indian cars to get the same update as the one rolled out in Europe.

But, unfortunately for our lungs, it still remains unclear how this will help cut down emissions in the country. Feeling concerned? Let us know through the comments section below.