The U.S. Department of Justice has ordered a recall of 600,000 Ram trucks manufactured by Stellantis as part of a settlement with Cummins Inc., the engine maker accused of illegally installing emissions control software in several hundred thousand vehicles to bypass emissions testing. The settlement includes a $1.675-billion civil penalty, the largest ever under the Clean Air Act, as well as an additional $325 million for remedies, bringing Cummins’ total penalty to more than $2 billion. The recalled vehicles were equipped with illegal defeat devices and undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices by Cummins, resulting in excessive emissions of nitrogen oxides.
Cummins has denied any wrongdoing and stated that the present actions do not require further financial commitments beyond those announced in December. As part of the settlement, Cummins will address the smog-forming pollution caused by their actions and undergo a nationwide recall of the noncompliant Ram vehicles. The Clean Air Act, enacted in 1963, requires car and engine manufacturers to comply with emission limits to protect the environment and human health.
This recent settlement follows other notable emissions cheating cases involving the auto industry, such as Volkswagen’s “Dieselgate” scandal in 2014 and Fiat Chrysler’s case in 2019. Experts believe that large fines are necessary to deter manufacturers from prioritizing profits over public health and environmental regulations. Diesel exhaust is harmful to human health and can lead to respiratory issues, lung disease, and asthma. It is crucial for companies to comply with emission standards to protect air quality and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
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