Scandal-hit VW to change diesel emissions technology

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP)

Volkswagen’s flagship brand plans to change its diesel technology in Europe and North America as well as develop new hybrid and electric vehicles in response to its emissions scandal.

The new steps were part of a plan to confront the company’s scandal over cars that were equipped with computer software that let them evade U.S. emissions tests.

Volkswagen division head Herbert Diess said in a statement Tuesday the company would change its approach to diesel emissions in Europe and North America and adopt so-called selective catalytic converter technology, or SCR. That is a system that injects the chemical substance urea into the exhaust stream to neutralize harmful nitrogen oxides.

He said that change would come “as soon as possible.”