Watch out carmakers - CARB is coming after you (and your pocketbooks)!

The California Air Resources Board warned automakers today that it will not tolerate any more emission control bypass shenanigans similar to what Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and most recently, Mercedes Benz-Daimler have done.

As you may recall, CARB and the USEPA issued fines and other penalties in the billions of dollars after discovering that many vehicles were purposely designed to bypass state and federally required emission controls unless an emissions compliance test was being performed.

Photo Credit: Ruben de Rijcke / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

In September of 2015, CARB sent a letter to all automakers asking them to voluntarily disclose any such systems they may not yet have reported. Apparently not satisfied with the response, CARB issued another warning today threatening severe repercussions if it or EPA, utilizing new laboratories and testing equipment, discover violations that have not been reported.

Here is an excerpt from today's letter, in which CARB expressed its dissatisfaction with the small response:

"On September 25, 2015, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) wrote light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle and engine manufacturers to remind them to properly disclose all auxiliary emission control devices (AECDs) at the time of certification. That letter also informed manufacturers of CARB’s intent to begin using then newly-developed screening tests in CARB’s In-Use Compliance Program, in addition to standard certification emission test cycles, to identify unapproved AECDs and defeat devices, the discovery of which would subject the manufacturer to penalties and remedial measures. The goal of that letter was clear: for manufacturers to proactively inform CARB of undisclosed software devices and reintroduce a level of trust and forthrightness into the certification process."

"While a handful of manufacturers stepped forward over the last five years, the vast majority did not. As promised in 2015, CARB moved forward with expanded testing programs and a suite of newly developed techniques to detect unauthorized AECDs and defeat devices in diesel engines." 

"This situation will not continue--It is a clear violation of public health to pollute the air with illegal devices, and it undermines the essential trust that has supported the certification program for decades. CARB is therefore now writing to you again to encourage voluntary disclosure of any potential violations with respect to these and other applicable regulatory requirements. Voluntary disclosure will trigger a reduction in penalties; failure to do so may affect the result of future enforcement actions involving your company when CARB’s new techniques – and its new state-of-the-art testing laboratory opening in 2021 – inevitably detect any violations you may have. "

VW Dieselgate fines reach $1.5 Billion in California according to CARB

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced an additional $153.8 million in fines against Volkswagen for the notorious emissions cheating scandal involving its model year 2009 - 2016, 2.0 and 3.0 liter diesel fueled passenger vehicles.

The additional penalties bring the total fines the company must pay in California to nearly $1.5 billion, the largest in history for violations of air quality rules.

“This payment to the State of California closes another chapter in the so-called ‘dieselgate’ case against Volkswagen, but it is not the end of the story,” said CARB Chair Mary Nichols. “There are still consumers waiting to find out the future of their cars. CARB is working with U.S. EPA to determine if the remaining vehicles can be modified.”

“What Volkswagen did was categorically unacceptable,” said Attorney General Xavier Becerra. “At the California Department of Justice, we’ve been holding Volkswagen accountable since we learned of their inexcusable actions. One thing should be crystal clear: wrongdoers who believe they can run and hide are sorely mistaken.”

The total fines are broken down as follows:

1. $153.8 million for penalties for air quality violations and the cost of CARB's investigation.
2. More than $422 million dollars VW must pay into a national trust to mitigate environmental harm in California.
3. $800 million dollars in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) related investments that VW must perform in California pursuant to an investment plan approved by CARB.
4. $25 million dollars VW has paid to CARB to support ZEV investment programs, including vehicle replacement programs, for low-income residents.
5. Consumer relief, including restitution and modification or buy back of the affected vehicles.
6. $86 million dollars it has paid to the California Attorney General’s office for civil penalties and costs.
7. Any additional mitigation payments VW is required to make if it fails to modify or buy back at least 85% of the subject vehicles in California.

The Consent Decree also includes an injunction requiring the company to implement a corporate compliance program, conduct enhanced vehicle testing, and undertake a series of audit and reporting obligations to ensure future compliance with U.S. and California laws and regulations.

Here's how to get your money back from your dirty VW, Audi, or Porsche

This is a Public Service Announcement (PSA) for all of you unfortunate souls who were mislead into parting with your hard earned dollars by Volkswagen and its Audi and Porsche subsidiaries.

As you recall, the above vehicle manufacturers were caught in the biggest emission scandal ever, rigging certain of their products to bypass mandated federal and California air pollution controls except when the cars were undergoing a required inspection.

The vehicles - cars and SUVs - were marketed as having "clean diesel" technology, thereby misleading those whose concerns for the environment may have led them into purchasing or leasing in the first place.



Under a settlement with California and United States authorities, the company has agreed to provide the following options to the government and/or folks who got caught by this corporate scam:

• Cash payments
• Vehicle buybacks
• Early lease terminations
• Potential emission modifications & extended vehicle warranties
• Environmental remediation
• Promotion of Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) technology

Volkswagen has been running half-page ads in major newspapers across the country with details on how to make a settlement claim. The ads say that the only vehicles affected by this settlement are certain 2009-2016 models of the VW Touareg, Audi A6, A7, A8, A8L, Q5, Q7, and Porsche Cayenne.

However, additional vehicles were also part of the emissions scandal. A complete list can be found here: ARB Volkswagen Information

For more information on what settlements are available for which vehicles, please click on the following link or call 1-844-98-CLAIM:

Emissions Scandal Settlement

VW reveals more emission problems, including vehicles with gasoline engines

What next?

http://www.examiner.com/article/vw-reveals-more-emission-problems-including-vehicles-with-gasoline-engines