US Authorities Ask Volkswagen to Make Electric Cars: Reports
car&bike Team
1 min read
Feb 22, 2016, 03:53 PM
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has asked Volkswagen (VW) to manufacture electric vehicles in the German carmaker's plant in the United States in order to make up for rigging emission tests in its diesel cars, German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported.
Some of Volkswagen's cars already feature electric or hybrid motors. It was not clear from the paper's report whether the EPA was asking VW to produce new models or existing ones.
The EPA is currently in talks with Volkswagen with the aim of agreeing on a fix for nearly 600,000 vehicles that emit up to 40 times legal pollution limits.
The paper, which gave no source for its report, said the EPA was asking VW to produce electric vehicles at its plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and to help build a network of charging stations for electric vehicles in the US.
Also Read - Emission Scandal: Mexico Issues Volkswagen $8.9 Million Fine
5 months after the emissions scandal broke in the United States, Europe's leading carmaker has yet to come up with a technical fix for almost 600,000 diesel cars, and is facing a growing number of legal claims.
"Talks with the EPA are ongoing and we are not commenting on the contents and state of the negotiations," a VW spokesman said. EPA declined to comment.
Also Read - Emission Scandal: Volkswagen Begins Recall of Diesel Cars in Europe
Meanwhile, German weekly tabloid Bild am Sonntag said Hans Dieter Poetsch, the chairman of Volkswagen's supervisory board, was summoned by German transport minister Alexander Dobrindt on February 16 to give an update on the carmaker's progress in tackling the crisis.
According to the article, Poetsch pledged Volkswagen would do everything to solve the crisis, regardless of how that might impact individuals and positions at the company.
A spokesman for Volkswagen confirmed that Poetsch and Thomas Steg, head of group government relations at VW, updated Dobrindt on February 16 on the status quo of its internal investigation, but declined to give details about the nature of discussions.
Volkswagen will present its final report on the crisis to law firm Jones Day in April, Bild am Sonntag said.
Volkswagen said last September, after the scandal broke, that 11 million of its vehicles worldwide had been equipped with the defeat devices.
Some of Volkswagen's cars already feature electric or hybrid motors. It was not clear from the paper's report whether the EPA was asking VW to produce new models or existing ones.
The EPA is currently in talks with Volkswagen with the aim of agreeing on a fix for nearly 600,000 vehicles that emit up to 40 times legal pollution limits.
The paper, which gave no source for its report, said the EPA was asking VW to produce electric vehicles at its plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and to help build a network of charging stations for electric vehicles in the US.
Also Read - Emission Scandal: Mexico Issues Volkswagen $8.9 Million Fine
5 months after the emissions scandal broke in the United States, Europe's leading carmaker has yet to come up with a technical fix for almost 600,000 diesel cars, and is facing a growing number of legal claims.
"Talks with the EPA are ongoing and we are not commenting on the contents and state of the negotiations," a VW spokesman said. EPA declined to comment.
Also Read - Emission Scandal: Volkswagen Begins Recall of Diesel Cars in Europe
Meanwhile, German weekly tabloid Bild am Sonntag said Hans Dieter Poetsch, the chairman of Volkswagen's supervisory board, was summoned by German transport minister Alexander Dobrindt on February 16 to give an update on the carmaker's progress in tackling the crisis.
According to the article, Poetsch pledged Volkswagen would do everything to solve the crisis, regardless of how that might impact individuals and positions at the company.
A spokesman for Volkswagen confirmed that Poetsch and Thomas Steg, head of group government relations at VW, updated Dobrindt on February 16 on the status quo of its internal investigation, but declined to give details about the nature of discussions.
Volkswagen will present its final report on the crisis to law firm Jones Day in April, Bild am Sonntag said.
Volkswagen said last September, after the scandal broke, that 11 million of its vehicles worldwide had been equipped with the defeat devices.
Related News
Popular Volkswagen Models
Latest Cars
Upcoming Cars
Latest News
Bilal Firfiray | Apr 20, 2026Electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class Revealed; Claims Up To 762km Of RangeMercedes-Benz has revealed the all-new electric C-Class, which shares its underpinnings with the new GLC EV and offers 762km of claimed range, 480bhp and 10-minute fast charging.2 mins read
Jafar Rizvi | Apr 20, 2026MG Windsor EV Commute Variant Launched At Rs 13.49 Lakh: Check Out Features, ImagesThe Commute variant sits below the Excite trim of the Windsor EV and is essentially for fleet buyers.2 mins read
Amaan Ahmed | Apr 20, 2026New Renault Duster Bags Five Stars In Latest Bharat NCAP Crash Tests: Check DetailsThe all-new Duster -- which secured five stars for adult as well as child protection -- is the first Renault to be tested under India's own new car assessment programme.3 mins read
car&bike Team | Apr 20, 2026BMW F 450 GS Pre-Booking Started; India Launch on 23 AprilBMW Motorrad's most anticipated mid-displacement adventure tourer opens pre-bookings ahead of its 23 April India launch.2 mins read
Jaiveer Mehra | Apr 20, 2026Maruti Baleno Facelift Spied Testing; Previews Design UpdatesChanges to the Baleno include a revised fascia with a new look grille and redesigned bumpers; changes to the cabin are likely to be minor.1 min read
car&bike Team | Apr 20, 20262026 Hyundai Venue Knight Edition Launched: Prices Start At Rs 9.70 LakhThe Venue Knight Edition sports blacked out elements inside and out, while Hyundai has also added two new paint options for the regular Venue.1 min read
Preetam Bora | Apr 20, 2026Hero Destini 110 Vs TVS Jupiter 110 Comparison ReviewThe Hero Destini 110 and the TVS Jupiter 110 both sit in the same price bracket and target the same buyer. But they take different approaches. Which 110 cc scooter should you buy?9 mins read
Amaan Ahmed | Apr 15, 2026Kinetic DX+ Review: Pure Nostalgia Can Only Take You So FarNo smoke, no two-stroke – the reborn Kinetic relies heavily on the charm of the original’s design to sway buyers, but can it offer genuine substance to go with the style?12 mins read
Janak Sorap | Apr 10, 2026Triumph 350 Range First Ride Review: More Affordable, More Refined, Still Fun?Triumph’s shift to 350cc aims to cut costs, but does it affect the ride experience?5 mins read
car&bike Team | Apr 7, 2026Flying Flea C6 Review: Royal Enfield’s Electric Gamble?The C6 is the beginning of Royal Enfield's EV journey under the Flying Flea brand. Does it make a strong impression? Read on.8 mins read
Janak Sorap | Mar 31, 20262026 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Apex – First Ride Review: The Update That Changes EverythingAfter riding the updated 2026 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 for a round trip of over 140 km from Guwahati to Shillong, the new Apex variant feels like the version of the Guerrilla 450 that should have existed from day one.6 mins read