General Motors fined by the EPA over emissions

General Motors has been ordered to pay a $145.8 million fine after a federal investigation found excess emissions from approximately 5.9 million GM vehicles, according to the US regulatory agency EPA.

The EPA said GM has agreed to give up about 50 million metric tons in carbon allowances after the multi-year investigation found vehicles from the 2012-2018 model years were emitting more than 10 per cent higher carbon dioxide on average than GM’s initial compliance reports claimed. The vehicles in question include a total of 4.6 million full-size pickups and SUVs built between 2012-2018, and about 1.3 million midsize SUVs manufactured from 2012-2018 from General Motors’ various brands, including Chevrolet and Cadillac.

In a separate instance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also fined GM a $145.8 million penalty for fuel economy compliance issues and cancelled more than 30.6 million fuel economy credits for the 2008-2010 model years to resolve the issues identified by EPA’s light-duty vehicle in-use testing program.

General Motors has responded with a statement, saying that it “has at all times complied with and adhered to all applicable laws and regulations in the certification and in-use testing of the vehicles in-question,” but accedes that “this is the best course of action to swiftly resolve outstanding issues with the federal government regarding this matter.”

This is not the first such instance, as the NHTSA notes that in June 2023, General Motors also paid a fine of $128.2 million in fuel economy penalties for not meeting requirements for 2016 and 2017.

“EPA’s vehicle standards depend on strong oversight in order to deliver public health benefits in the real world,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Our investigation has achieved accountability and upholds an important program that’s reducing air pollution and protecting communities across the country.”

epa.gov, autonews.com (paywall)