Reports have appeared in the media(1) concerning internal Volkswagen Group documents, according to which EA288 diesel engines could also have been fitted with unauthorised defeat devices in order to manipulate emissions during testing by means of the quantity of urea injected. The group denies any ‘influence over compliance with emission limit values’, but the overriding ban on defeat devices applies even if emission limit values are complied with. It is reported that the Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrtbundesamt), which is the supervisory authority, is refusing to investigate the new information and documents, citing the fact that investigations have already been conducted previously.

1. What defeat devices (lawful or unlawful) in EA288 diesel engines are known to the Commission (please specify)?

2. What measures will the Commission take to ensure that the Federal Republic of Germany complies with its obligations and that the competent authorities investigate the recent allegations concerning the possible installation of unlawful defeat devices in EA288 engines?

(1) https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/swr/vw-abgasskandal-157.htm