GM Fined $146 Million for Emission Violations

Overview

General Motors (GM) has been fined over $145.8 million for selling nearly 5.9 million vehicles in the U.S. that did not meet emission standards. The impacted vehicles were manufactured between 2012 and 2018.

Penalties and Credits

GM has also retired around 50 million tons of carbon dioxide pollution credits voluntarily. Despite the fine, GM has not admitted to any wrongdoing. The company maintains that all its vehicles comply with pollution and mileage certification regulations.

Details of Violations

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that GM’s full-sized pickup trucks and SUVs, as well as midsize SUVs, emitted more than 10% higher CO2 levels than claimed by the manufacturer. This discrepancy led to the enforcement action by the EPA.

Previous Penalties

This is not the first time GM has faced penalties for environmental violations. In the past, the company paid $128.2 million in fuel economy penalties for failing to meet requirements for certain model years.

Company Response

GM has stated that the emission discrepancies were a result of an EPA testing procedure change in 2016. The company remains committed to reducing auto emissions and supporting the Administration’s fleet electrification goals.

Conclusion

The EPA’s investigation into GM’s emission violations aims to uphold environmental standards and protect public health. The penalties imposed on GM serve as a reminder of the importance of compliance with emission regulations in the automotive industry.