Air Resources Board rejects VW diesel recall plan

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has rejected Volkswagen Group of America’s submitted recall plan for 2-litre diesel passenger vehicles sold in California between 2009 and 2015, saying it is incomplete. CARB also notified VW of violations of California air quality regulations associated with the company’s use of a ‘defeat device’ in those cars. "Volkswagen made a decision to cheat on emissions tests and then tried to cover it up,” said CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols. “They continued and compounded
January 13, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has rejected Volkswagen Group of America’s submitted recall plan for 2-litre diesel passenger vehicles sold in California between 2009 and 2015, saying it is incomplete. CARB also notified VW of violations of California air quality regulations associated with the company’s use of a ‘defeat device’ in those cars.  

"994 Volkswagen made a decision to cheat on emissions tests and then tried to cover it up,” said CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols. “They continued and compounded the lie and when they were caught they tried to deny it. The result is thousands of tons of nitrogen oxide that have harmed the health of Californians. They need to make it right. Today's action is a step in the direction of assuring that will happen."

The rejection does not preclude a recall, but allows for a broader array of potential remedies. CARB will continue its investigation and technical evaluations with EPA to return the vehicles to legally required emission levels, determine mitigation for past and future environmental harm, and assess penalties.
Air Quality & Weather Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Carbon finance delivers critical support to mass transit schemes
    February 2, 2012
    David Crawford investigates carbon finance in transport. World Bank carbon finance grants are delivering critical support to major mass transit deployments in emerging and developing economies. Only recently operative in the transport sector, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM, see panel) is designed to generate additional income streams and improve internal rates of return on projects funded from public- and private-sector sources.
    Read More
  • Volkswagen plans major investment in electric cars
    June 17, 2016
    The Volkswagen Group is making plans to become a world-leading provider of sustainable mobility; its ‘TOGETHER – Strategy 2025 provides the framework, with the focus on transforming the core business and tapping potential new revenue streams. The Group is planning a broad-based initiative in this area: it intends to launch more than 30 purely battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) over the next ten years and estimates that such vehicles could then account for around a quarter of the global passenger ca
    Read More
  • ITS America focuses on the environment
    March 13, 2012
    ITS America's appointment of a Director of Environmental Affairs signals a major new focus
    Read More
  • Coalition urges White House to reject plan for open spectrum
    May 6, 2016
    A coalition of over fifty 50 automakers, state transportation agencies and other groups has written to the White House and other federal policymakers urging them not to open a portion of the wireless spectrum reserved for connected vehicles in the near future, says Reuters. The letter was signed by major auto trade groups representing nearly the entire auto industry, including Toyota Motor Corp, Ford Motor Co, General Motors Co, Volkswagen AG and Honda. It came after a cable industry trade group and some te
    Read More

Highlighted Content