New Delhi, Nov 4 (PTI): India will be asking German carmaker Volkswagen to explain “significant variations” between laboratory and on-road emission levels in some of its high-end diesel models as recorded by the Automotive Research Association of India.

”ARAI has found significant variations in the emission level in on-road vehicles as compared to the laboratory measurements. We are issuing a notice to Volkswagen Group of companies today to give technical inputs and explain their position,” Ambuj Sharma, additional secretary in the heavy industries ministry, told PTI.

”We will give them (Volkswagen) 15-21 days to reply to the notice. We are expecting a reply from them by month-end, with detailed technical inputs from their HQ in Germany,” Sharma said.

Volkswagen India sells Jetta model, while Octavia and Audi A4 and A6 models are retailed by Skoda and Audi respectively. Both Audi and Skoda brands are owned by the Volkswagen group.

The variations have been found in the diesel versions of the Jetta, Octavia, Audi A4 and Audi A6.

When contacted, ARAI Director Rashmi Urdhwareshe said: ”We had tested the exhaust in Volkswagen's on-road vehicles and found a significant difference in emission levels in comparison to the laboratory measurements.”

The findings are a part of the report submitted to the heavy industries ministry by apex testing agency ARAI. It had begun a probe into Volkswagen's emission standards after a manipulation scandal hit the German auto major in the USA and several other countries.

Volkswagen India did not respond to queries sent to it.

Volkswagen has already admitted that 11 million diesel engine cars worldwide were fitted with the software that helped in manipulating emission tests. It faces fine of up to $18 billion in the US.