The EPA is bolstering diesel car testing after the Volkswagen emissions scandal

Federal regulators plan to test diesel-engine cars more rigorously in light of Volkswagen's emissions scandal, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday in a letter to automakers, The New York Times reports.

"We must continue to improve and adapt our oversight, and we will," said Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation.

The EPA is keeping details of the new tests confidential in an effort to thwart carmakers who try to evade the emissions standards with "defeat devices," like Volkswagen used, The Washington Post reports.

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Volkswagen admitted Tuesday to circumventing emissions standards in 11 million vehicles, including nearly 500,000 sold in the U.S., which released up to 40 times as much nitrogen oxide as the U.S. standard allows. The company is under criminal investigation.