Stellantis's US division to pay £3.3 million over California emissions violations

FCA US, a subsidiary of global automotive manufacturer Stellantis, has agreed to pay £3.3 million ($4.2 million) to resolve a California investigation into excess emissions from its vehicles, state officials announced on Monday. The settlement addresses violations of air quality regulations involving specific Ram ProMaster models manufactured between 2014 and 2016.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) investigation centred on Ram ProMaster 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles equipped with 3.0-litre diesel engines. The vehicles were found to contain an unauthorised device that circumvented emissions control systems, resulting in approximately 55 tonnes of excess nitrogen oxides being released into the atmosphere.

Under the terms of the settlement, Stellantis has committed to initiating a recall programme to modify the emission control systems of affected vehicles to ensure compliance with state regulations. The financial settlement comprises a civil penalty of more than £1.6 million ($2 million), which will be directed to the state's Air Pollution Control Fund.

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Additionally, £1.7 million ($2.1 million) will fund an environmental initiative aimed at encouraging ocean-going cargo vessels to reduce their speeds in designated areas during peak whale and ozone seasons. This programme is designed to deliver both wildlife protection and air quality benefits.

This latest settlement follows a similar agreement reached in 2022, where Stellantis paid £4.4 million ($5.6 million) to California authorities over comparable allegations involving petrol-powered vehicles. The company has faced multiple regulatory challenges regarding emissions compliance in recent years.

In a separate federal case, FCA US entered a guilty plea to criminal conspiracy charges in June 2022, agreeing to pay approximately £237 million ($300 million) as part of a plea agreement to resolve a U.S. Justice Department investigation into diesel emissions fraud.

Previously, in 2019, the company reached a significant settlement with California over allegations of using "defeat device software" to circumvent emissions testing on more than 100,000 diesel vehicles across the United States. Of the £395 million ($500 million) total settlement, California received approximately £62 million ($78 million).

These recurring emissions-related settlements highlight the ongoing scrutiny faced by automotive manufacturers regarding their compliance with environmental regulations. The settlements also demonstrate California's continued commitment to enforcing strict emissions standards and environmental protection measures.