BERLIN, Sept. 26 (UPI) — Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk weighed-in on the recent Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal, saying it proves the limits of using fossil fuels.
During a press conference at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy conference in Berlin this week, Musk was asked whether the scandal — which affectsmore than 11 million vehicles — causes concern people will lose faith in green technology.
“I think it’s the opposite,” Musk said. “What Volkswagen is really showing is that we’ve reached the limit of what’s possible with diesel and gasoline. The time has come to move to a new generation of technology.”
Musk — a leader in zero-emission vehicle development — is reportedly traveling Europe to scout potential locations for new Tesla electric vehicle and battery pack factories as Volkswagen faces the debilitating fuel scandal.
On Friday Sept. 18, it was discovered the German automobile company had doctored U.S. and European emission tests in its diesel cars. The federal Environmental Protection Agency said certain Volkswagen vehicles were equipped with special software used to feign lower emissions during tests. After the trials, however, the emissions returned to illegal levels.
The U.S. Department of Justice reportedly launched an investigation into the company’s conduct this week. Last Friday’s revelation prompted the brand’s stock to plummet by 30 percent and forced VW to set aside 6.5 billion euros ($7.3 billion) to handle the issue. CEO Martin Winterkorn resigned Wednesday after publicly apologizing multiple times during the week.
Just days after Winterkorn’s resignation, Porsche CEO Matthias Muller has reportedly taken over Volkswagen.
The EPA ordered the recall of 482,000 diesel-powered vehicles from Volkwagen and Audi, accusing the automakers of violating federal emission regulations. The company faces up to $18 billion in fines.
Volkswagen subsequently placed a freeze on all sales of its diesel-powered vehicles in the United States.
