Stellantis, the parent company of FCA US, has agreed to pay a $4.2 million penalty to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to resolve allegations of excess emissions from certain diesel vehicles.
The settlement pertains to 2014-2016 model year Ram ProMaster 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. CARB alleges that these vehicles contained an unapproved device that circumvented emissions control systems, resulting in the release of nearly 55 tons of excess oxides of nitrogen into the atmosphere.
This settlement follows a previous agreement in 2022 where Stellantis paid $5.6 million to California to resolve similar allegations involving gas-powered vehicles. As part of the latest settlement, Stellantis will recall the affected diesel vehicles to modify their emission control systems to comply with California regulations.
The $4.2 million penalty will be distributed as follows: a $2 million civil penalty will be deposited into the state’s Air Pollution Control Fund, and $2.1 million will be used to fund a project that aims to reduce air pollution and protect marine life.
This settlement comes on the heels of a separate federal emissions probe where FCA US pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy and agreed to pay a $300 million penalty to resolve allegations of diesel emissions fraud.
These recent settlements highlight the increasing scrutiny faced by automakers regarding emissions compliance. California, known for its stringent environmental regulations, plays a crucial role in setting emissions standards for vehicles sold nationwide.
The resolution of these emissions-related issues underscores Stellantis’ commitment to addressing environmental concerns and complying with regulatory requirements.