Fiat Chrysler in $500m emissions cheating settlement

Fiat Chrysler agreed last week to pay a settlement of more than $500m regarding allegations over cheating federal and state emission tests. According to a Jurist report, the consent decree acknowledges that Fiat Chrysler violated the Clean Air Act and California law. The decree did not resolve criminal liability nor individual consumer claims regarding the emission scandal. Fiat Chrysler was ordered to begin a recall programme on 100 000 non-compliant diesel vehicles. The company has a two-year timeline to repair at least 85% of the vehicles before facing more penalties. Fiat Chrysler must also extend the warranty on those vehicles it has repaired and test vehicles for five years to ensure that the vehicles continue to meet emission standards. The company will pay additional penalties for failure to meet the emission standard on repaired vehicles. ‘Fiat Chrysler deceived consumers and the federal government by installing defeat devices on these vehicles that undermined important clean air protections,’ said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. ‘Today’s settlement sends a clear and strong signal to manufacturers and consumers that EPA will vigorously enforce the nation’s laws designed to protect the environment and public health.’