Engine manufacturer Cummins has agreed to pay a $1.67 billion fine to settle a case brought by the U.S. Justice Department and the State of California, alleging emissions cheating with diesel engines used in Ram pickup trucks. The settlement relates to the installation of defeat devices that violated the Clean Air Act, allowing Cummins’ diesel engines to cheat emissions tests. This marks the largest civil penalty ever secured under the Clean Air Act and the second-largest environmental penalty in U.S. history.
The allegations involve defeat devices installed on approximately 630,000 engines in Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups from 2013 to 2019. Additionally, the settlement covers “undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices” allegedly installed on 330,000 engines in Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks from model years 2019 to 2023. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the harmful impact on health and safety, with these engines emitting “thousands of tons of excess emissions of nitrogen oxides.”
The case draws parallels to the Volkswagen diesel scandal, where VW was accused of using defeat devices to manipulate emissions tests, leading to excess pollutants being released and serious health effects. A MIT study estimated that VW’s excess emissions caused 1,200 premature deaths. Cummins’ defeat devices echo the emissions tampering issues in the Volkswagen case.
Cummins has been at the center of emissions-related scrutiny before, facing a lawsuit regarding illegally high emissions in older Dodge Ram pickups with Cummins engines from model years 2007 to 2012. Following this, Cummins issued a recall, and Ram 1500 pickups with a different diesel engine were also recalled.
The settlement showcases the significance of enforcement against emissions violations, underscoring the health and environmental implications of such actions. Cummins, as an engine manufacturer, is expected to adhere to emission standards, and the penalties serve as a deterrent against future violations. As the automotive industry navigates increasing scrutiny on emissions, this case emphasizes the ongoing challenges and consequences for non-compliance with environmental regulations.