Detroit, Michigan – General Motors has agreed to pay a hefty $146 million fine to settle emissions violations affecting nearly 6 million vehicles nationwide, as announced by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Transportation Department. This move is crucial in ensuring compliance with President Biden’s stringent carbon dioxide emissions limits for cars, following the EPA’s discovery of higher CO2 emissions than initially reported by GM.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan emphasized the importance of robust oversight to deliver real-world public health benefits and reduce air pollution, stating that the investigation has held GM accountable and upheld essential programs safeguarding communities across the country. GM spokesperson Bill Grotz maintained the company’s stance of no wrongdoing, affirming its commitment to reducing auto emissions and supporting the Administration’s objectives for fleet electrification.
The vehicles implicated in these excess emissions span from model years 2012 to 2018 and consist of popular SUVs under GM’s Chevrolet brand, including the Chevrolet Equinox with front-wheel drive. The fine of $145.8 million, imposed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Transportation Department, will be accompanied by GM’s retirement of millions of compliance credits received under federal regulations.
In an effort to address the discrepancies, GM plans to cancel 50 million metric tons of greenhouse gas credits and approximately 30.6 million gas mileage credits, according to EPA and NHTSA officials. The necessity of federal laws and stringent oversight was underscored by Dan Becker, directing attention to the vital role of regulatory bodies in safeguarding the environment.
While the scale of the GM emissions issue falls short of the Volkswagen scandal, wherein the German automaker was entangled in a massive emissions cheating scandal affecting 11 million vehicles worldwide, the significance of addressing emissions violations remains paramount. As the Biden administration ramps up enforcement of environmental regulations, recent settlements with companies like Cummins demonstrate the ongoing commitment to upholding environmental standards and holding violators accountable.