Brussels, October 1 (RHC)-- New data shows European cars may be emitting as much as 40 percent more carbon dioxide than previously thought, suggesting Volkswagen’s cheating scandal is part of an industry-wide problem.

Greg Archer, program director of the group Transport & Environment, which works closely with the European Commission, announced the report’s findings. The report comes as German prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation against former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn following revelations Volkswagen had illegally installed devices in 11 million cars worldwide to cheat emissions tests.

A New York Times analysis estimates the extra pollution may have caused more than 100 deaths in the United States alone.