General Motors (GM) will pay a $146 million fine after an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 5.9 million of the company’s vehicles emitted excessive greenhouse gases, the agency said Wednesday.
The company also plans to retire greenhouse gas credits equivalent to about 50 million tonnes of emissions. by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Result of investigation, First reported by ReutersGM vehicles were found to emit about 10 percent more greenhouse gases than compliance tests indicated.
“EPA’s vehicle standards rely on strong oversight to deliver real-world public health benefits,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. “Our investigations ensure accountability and preserve the important programs that reduce air pollution and protect communities across the country.”
The affected vehicles include approximately 4.6 million full-size pickup trucks and SUVs manufactured between 2012 and 2018, and approximately 1.3 million mid-size SUVs, including Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac models, manufactured during the same period.
The EPA said the vehicles will remain on the road and cannot be repaired.
The EPA said the violations were not intentional, unlike similar charges brought against Volkswagen in 2015. In that case, prosecutors alleged that Volkswagen knowingly evaded emissions regulations and imposed a record $4.3 billion fine and other penalties in a plea deal.
GM said in a statement to Reuters that it had “at all times complied with and followed all applicable laws and regulations in the certification and in-use testing of the vehicles at issue,” but added that it “believes this is the best course of action to expeditiously resolve any outstanding issues with the federal government in this matter.”
