The Indian government may expand its probe to other car manufacturers, after finding substantial discrepancies between on-road and laboratory emission levels on some Volkswagen group diesel cars, and it could go on to include petrol cars as well.

Ambuj Sharma, additional secretary, Department of Heavy Industries, said today that, “We will conduct a sample testing of all other models of other car makers as well and in the future, if petrol cars are needed to be analysed, that would also be done.” 

Indian automotive testing agency Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) found a substantial difference in on-road emission levels of cars such as the Volkswagen Jetta, Skoda Octavia, Audi A6 and Audi A4 when compared to laboratory measurements, the agency’s director, Rashmi Urdhwareshe, told Autocar India on Wednesday.

When asked about the further course of action the government would take following the revelation, Sharma said that Volkswagen India could face penalties or recalls and even “criminal action” if they were found guilty of fitting a ‘defeat device’ on their cars.

“We've shared the ARAI findings with them (Volkswagen India). They would be required to give technical explanations. If the explanation is not satisfactory, then under the Motor Vehicle Act and rules, there are actions which could be taken. There are recalls, there would be penalties. Cheat device installation in a vehicle is a matter of grave concern and if that is found, even criminal action if possible,” he said.

Moreover, in the future, this could also lead to on-road testing by Indian testing agencies as a basis for measuring real emission levels in addition to laboratory testing, according to Sharma.

Nearly 3,14,000 Volkswagen group vehicles in India are powered by engines from the EA 189 diesel engine family, he said. The EA 189 diesel engine family is currently under scrutiny after Volkswagen was caught evading emission tests by installing a software code known in the industry as a ‘defeat device’ in the US.

NISHANT PAREKH