General Motors (GM) has been ordered by U.S. regulators to pay a $145.8 million fine after a years-long investigation found that the automaker’s vehicles from certain model years emitted about 10 percent more carbon dioxide than previously believed.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Wednesday that GM has agreed to relinquish 50 million tons of previously claimed carbon credits, following an investigation that found that vehicles from model years 2012 through 2018 emitted about 10 percent more carbon emissions than reported in compliance reports (via Automotive news).
In a separate statement, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the $145.8 million fine GM must pay for failing to properly report fuel economy data. The regulator also canceled 30.6 million GM fuel economy credits for model year 2008 through 2010 vehicles to address compliance issues identified by the EPA.
“[GM] has at all times complied with and adhered to all applicable laws and regulations in the certification and in-use testing of the subject vehicles,” the automaker told Automotive news in a statement. “This is the best way to quickly resolve the outstanding issues with the federal government regarding this matter.”
The EPA also said it does not plan to recall the affected GM vehicles, which include about 4.6 million full-size pickup trucks and SUVs and about 1.3 million midsize SUVs. Each segment is from the 2012 through 2018 model years.
“EPA’s vehicle standards depend on rigorous oversight to deliver real-world public health benefits,” said Michael Regan. “Our investigation has led to accountability and supports an important program that reduces air pollution and protects communities across the country.”
The news comes as GM celebrated record electric vehicle (EV) sales in the second quarter of the year, and as the automaker continues to invest in its EV program. In April, the automaker raised its financial forecast for 2024, noting that it expected to spend $11.5 billion, up from $10.5 billion, much of which includes the company’s efforts to produce EV battery cells.
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