Exposing Vehicle Emissions Problems Not New For University

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A West Virginia University research unit that helped expose Volkswagen AG's smog-test scandal had been involved in another emissions test two decades ago involving polluting trucks that had similar results.

In October 1998, the WVU Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines and Emissions discovered that more than 1.1 million trucks whose heavy-duty diesel engines had passed emission inspections at the factory were polluting much more than allowed because of devices designed to overcome emissions controls, Dan Carder, interim director of the unit, told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The Justice Department publicly announced the findings, after which several manufacturers agreed to a $1 billion settlement.

In the Volkswagen case, the WVU research team was hired by nonprofit pollution control advocate International Council on Clean Transportation to measure emissions on three cars: a 2012 VW Jetta, a 2013 VW Passat and a BMW X5 SUV.

The BMW passed, but the university found significantly higher emissions from the Volkswagens, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (by Channel 9)

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