The EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) say that since 2014, Chrysler shipped 104,000 trucks with “defeat devices” designed to cheat emissions tests — like VW’s cheating, this software was designed to produce low NOx ratings when the trucks were undergoing emissions tests, but to ramp up NOx emissions during normal road use, trading emissions for fuel-efficiency.
Chrysler released a statement that said, basically, “Trump’s going to gut the EPA so we’re not that worried.”
The carmaker says it intends to “work with the incoming administration to present its case and resolve this matter fairly and equitably and to assure the EPA and customers that the company’s diesel-powered vehicles meet all applicable regulatory requirements.”
FCA may be liable for civil penalties and injunctive relief for the violations alleged by the EPA and CARB, this could include paying thousands of dollars per affected vehicle.
For now, the EPA says that while the vehicles emit emissions in excess of federal regulations, they are safe and legal for owners to drive.
Fiat Chrysler Accused Of Using Potential “Defeat Devices” In More Than 100,000 Trucks, SUVs
[Ashlee Kieler/Consumerist]