General Motors will pay $145.8 million in fines and forfeit greenhouse gas credits worth hundreds of millions of dollars to settle a probe over excess emissions, Reuters reported Wednesday.
The wrongdoing and forfeiting of regulatory credits was announced on the Environmental Protection Agency’s newsroom, but the multimillion-dollar fine was noted on Reuters. The settlement comes after the EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration probed General Motors over excess emissions in 2012-2018 model year vehicles. Required post-production tests done by the EPA and GM showed that the vehicles were producing 10% more emissions than GM initially claimed in compliance reports.
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Emissions Crackdown
Since Volkswagen’s “Dieselgate” scandal in 2015, regulators have been aggressively pursuing automakers thought to have skirted emissions rules. GM’s breach was far milder than VW’s, and didn’t involve intentional deception or “defeat devices,” but the new ruling shows that the EPA isn’t backing down from enforcing tougher emissions requirements.
The action covers 4.6 million light-duty pickup trucks and 1.3 million “medium” SUVs. I say that in quotes because “medium” includes the small Chevy Captiva and giant Chevy Suburban. The following cars were found to have higher-than-claimed emissions:
- 2012-2017 2.4L Chevy Equinox
- 2012-2017 2.4L Chevy Captiva
- 2012-2017 2.4L GMC Terrain
- 2012-2018 5.4L Chevy Suburban
- 2012-2018 5.3L Chevy Tahoe
- 2012-2018 5.3L Chevy Silverado 1500
- 2012-2014 5.3L Chevy Avalanche
- 2012-2018 5.3L GMC Sierra 1500
- 2012-2018 5.3L GMC Yukon (XL)
- 2012-2014 6.2L GMC Yukon (XL)
- 2012-2014 6.2L Cadillac Escalade
Regulators say the vehicles will not be recalled. GM is not required to fix them, and has forfeited regulatory greenhouse gas credits to make up for the added emissions.
“EPA’s vehicle standards depend on strong oversight in order to deliver public health benefits in the real world,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in the release. “Our investigation has achieved accountability and upholds an important program that’s reducing air pollution and protecting communities across the country.”
General Motors (GM) has recently been fined $145.8 million by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for producing vehicles that exceeded emission standards. This hefty penalty is a result of GM’s failure to comply with federal regulations and highlights the importance of environmental accountability in the automotive industry.
The EPA found that GM had violated the Clean Air Act by producing vehicles with excess emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx), a harmful pollutant that contributes to smog and respiratory issues. The excess emissions were discovered in GM’s Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks, which are popular models among consumers.
This is not the first time GM has come under fire for emission violations. In 2014, the company was involved in a massive scandal over faulty ignition switches that resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. This latest fine serves as a harsh reminder that GM must prioritize compliance with environmental regulations to avoid further penalties and damage to its reputation.
In response to the fine, GM has stated that it takes environmental compliance seriously and has made significant investments to reduce its environmental footprint. The company has committed to working closely with the EPA to implement corrective measures and prevent future violations.
The hefty fine imposed on GM underscores the increasing scrutiny faced by automakers in the wake of the Volkswagen emissions scandal in 2015. The scandal, in which Volkswagen was found to have installed illegal software in its vehicles to cheat emissions tests, highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations in the automotive industry.
As consumers become more environmentally conscious and regulators tighten emissions standards, automakers must prioritize sustainability and compliance to maintain their competitive edge. GM’s fine should serve as a wake-up call for all automakers to invest in cleaner technologies and adhere to emission regulations to protect the environment and public health.
In conclusion, GM’s $145.8 million fine over excess emissions is a stark reminder of the consequences of non-compliance with environmental regulations. The automotive industry must make a concerted effort to reduce emissions and prioritize sustainability to protect the environment and public health. The EPA’s actions against GM send a strong message to all automakers that environmental accountability is non-negotiable in today’s world.