The Diesel Technology Forum is defending diesel automotive technology in the wake of the Volkswagen diesel scandal and urging individuals and companies to refrain from judging it harshly.

"The circumstances involving a single manufacturer do not define an entire technology, or an industry," according to a statement from the group.

The EPA has accused Audi and Volkswagen of using a software algorithm in its four-cylinder diesels to circumvent federal emissions standards. The cars from the 2009 to 2015 model years could detect when the car is undergoing official emissions testing and turn on full emissions controls only during that test. This would violate the Clean Air Act.

The forum pointed out that vehicle manufacturers spend billions of dollars on diesel research and development to meet "the most aggressive emissions standards in the world" in the U.S.

"Nothing has changed the fact that the diesel engine is the most energy efficient internal combustion engine," the forum said. "It is a proven technology and its unique combination of efficiency, power, reliability, performance, low-emissions and suitability for using renewable fuels ensures a place for diesel technology to help meet the demands of a global economy."

The forum also said it believes the scandal wouldn't hurt the new generation of diesel-powered cars, trucks, and SUVs.