Around 2.8 million Volkswagen vehicles in Germany are fitted with devices that can cheat emissions tests, Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt was quoted saying Friday by German news agency DPA.

"From what we know currently, not only passenger cars but small utility vehicles by Volkswagen are also affected," Dobrindt said.

The company admitted earlier this week that 11 million of its diesel vehicles worldwide are equipped with the software that covertly turns on pollution controls when the car is being tested, and off when it is being driven.