Skip to main content

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.

Related Content

  • August 2, 2017
    Banning new petrol and diesel cars a ‘smokescreen’ for lacklustre air quality plan, says CILT
    Following publication of the Government’s Air Quality Plan, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) believes that government could do better than the “weak and timid” plans, particularly given the urgency and the health risks. The Institute recently criticised the draft plan, saying the proposed measures to reduce NO2 concentrations were likely to be ineffective. Many towns and cities in England suffer excessive – and illegal – levels of NO2 concentrations on their busiest roads and these
  • May 6, 2016
    20 cities challenge relaxation of EU air pollution standards
    Ordered to cut air pollution levels by Brussels, a group of EU cities are taking the European Commission to court over its decision to relax car emissions standards, making their objectives even less attainable, according to EurActiv France. The EU’s muddled position on air pollution has angered the bloc’s major cities. For Paris, Madrid and Copenhagen, the EU’s decision to give carmakers more freedom to pollute is unacceptable. But since it was discreetly added to the Official Journal of the European Unio
  • December 15, 2015
    Germany to toughen rules after VW scandal
    In the wake of the Volkswagen emissions scandal, Germany's transport minister Alexander Dobrindt has announced that major automakers would have to disclose their engine software to state regulators, according to German website The Local. Dobrindt also announced there would be follow-up tests by the state motor transport authority KBA to double-check the results of exhaust tests ordered by the manufacturers. The minister said there would be "a comprehensive package of measures" to tighten the approval
  • January 25, 2019
    Colorado signs exec order to support transition to ZEVs
    Governor of Colorado Jared Polis has signed an executive order which outlines a suite of initiatives to support a transition to zero emission vehicles (ZEV) in the US state. Polis says: “Our goal is to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2040 and embrace the green energy transition already underway economy-wide” He believes the public health and environmental benefits of widespread transportation electrification will increase as the state moves towards a cleaner electric grid. The initiatives include