BREAKING: EPA Accuses Fiat Chrysler of Emissions Cheating; Over 100,000 Ram, Jeep Vehicles Implicated

by Steph Willems

Published: January 12th, 2017

breaking epa accuses fiat chrysler of emissions cheating over 100 000 ram jeep

The Environmental Protection Agency has accused Fiat Chrysler Automobiles of installing emissions software in 104,000 diesel Rams and Jeeps that violates the Clean Air Act.

According to the regulator, which made its announcement this morning, FCA failed to declare “eight auxiliary emissions control devices” during the EPA certification process. Those devices were installed on 2014, 2015 and 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine.

The regulator has sent a notice of violation to the automaker.

During heightened EPA testing of domestic diesels that occurred in the year after the Volkswagen emissions scandal, the regulator discovered software installed on FCA vehicles created excess nitrogen oxide tailpipe emissions. NOx is the key ingredient in smog, which poses a danger to people with respiratory issues.

The findings show a “serious violation of the Clean Air Act,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator of the EPA, during a conference call. “Some of the devices allow the vehicle to perform differently when being tested,” she added.

Giles said EPA is looking to FCA “to demonstrate why we shouldn’t conclude that these (devices) are defeat devices.”

Defeat devices installed on Volkswagen diesel engines were revealed to turn on emissions control functions when the vehicles were undergoing regulatory testing, while leaving them off during normal, day-to-day operation. In Volkswagen’s case, the NOx levels were up to 40 times the legal limit.

During talks with FCA, the regulator, which is working with the California Air Resources Board and Environment Canada, claims that the automaker didn’t offer a suitable explanation for the devices.

The certification process for 2017 model year FCA diesels remains on hold, pending the ongoing investigation. Owners of the two models needn’t take any action, however. The regulator claims that the vehicles, while in violation of pollution laws, remain safe to drive.

In a statement, FCA claimed it was “disappointed” in the decision to send a notice of violation:

FCA US intends to work with the incoming administration to present its case and resolve this matter fairly and equitably and to assure the EPA and FCA US customers that the company’s diesel-powered vehicles meet all applicable regulatory requirements.

FCA US diesel engines are equipped with state-of-the-art emission control systems hardware, including selective catalytic reduction (SCR). Every auto manufacturer must employ various strategies to control tailpipe emissions in order to balance EPA’s regulatory requirements for low nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and requirements for engine durability and performance, safety and fuel efficiency. FCA US believes that its emission control systems meet the applicable requirements.

FCA claims it spent months responding to EPA requests for information. The automaker added that it has developed a possible solution to problem — a software update that “could be implemented in these vehicles immediately to further improve emissions performance.”

The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine allowed FCA to advertise attractive fuel economy figures in the face of stringent CAFE requirements. Ram claims the 1500 HFE sips diesel at a rate of 29 miles per gallon on the highway, while Jeep claims the diesel Grand Cherokee attains a 30 mpg highway figure.

[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

#Diesel #EcoDiesel #EPA #Fca #FiatChryslerAutomobiles #JeepRam #VwDieselScandal

Steph Willems

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9 of 126 comments

BigOldChryslers on Jan 12, 2017

When this story broke and I saw the headlines elsewhere, I first presumed it was an update on the recent class action lawsuit over the emissions systems in 2007-12 Rams with the Cummins 6.7 diesel. That is also still ongoing AFAIK. The EPA's EcoDiesel investigation may be related to this class action lawsuit. The webpage describes the behavior of some of the alleged defeat devices: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161201005646/en/Hagens-Berman-Consumers-Sue-Fiat-Chrysler-Bosch

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FOG on Jan 13, 2017

#golden2husky: I’m amazed at how ignorant some people are thinking that eliminating the tools that gave us vastly improved air quality would be a good idea. Once again an instant response without any reflection on the content of the comment. I never said we don't need the EPA and I used sarcasm to make a point. The new administration may be able to return the EPA expectations to attainable levels and balance the tree hugger's attempt to use the EPA to get rid of ICEs all together with the clear understanding companies cannot make a profit when strangled by unrealistic EPA and CAFE standards.

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- See 6 previous
- JimZ on Jan 13, 2017
  
  "The new administration may be able to return the EPA expectations to attainable levels" except you and your ilk haven't demonstrated that the current regulations are "unattainable." 'cos it seems at least GM and BMW have been able to attain them.
  
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- VoGo on Jan 13, 2017
  
  "companies cannot make a profit when strangled by unrealistic EPA and CAFE standards." So how do you explain that corporate profits and equity values are at all time highs?
  
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- 28-Cars-Later on Jan 13, 2017
  
  @VoGo Print baby, print!
  
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- FOG on Jan 13, 2017
  
  @JimZ Me and my "ilk"? You don't know that GM or BMW isn't failing because we weren't told FCA was in violation until yesterday. Interesting that it coincided with the exact date that VW plead guilty. And the EPA has to do their own damn research on what is attainable instead of just saying, "This is what we want, give it to us. You figure out how. We don't care about logic or science we want it all, and we want it now." It is clear from your response that you just want to attack anyone who doesn't fall in line with your narrow minded view. Get a life and move on.
  
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- JimZ on Jan 13, 2017
  
  @FOG "You don’t know that GM or BMW isn’t failing " Yes I do, because I pay attention to things: www.gmc.com/gmc-life/trucks/2016-canyon-diesel-small-truck-fuel-economy-rating.html " EPA has issued the “Certificate of Conformity” for the GMC Canyon diesel. The agency expressed no issues following its recent, extensive testing and evaluation of the emission control system on the Canyon diesel." www.vinereport.com/article/2016-bmw-x5-news-car-passes-the-extra-epa-emission-testing-bmw-confirms-resuming-of-production/5891.htm "Environment Protection Agency (EPA) spokeswoman Laura Allen announced the good news Thursday and was quoted in saying, "Our screening tests found no evidence of a defeat device in the 2016 BMW X5."" Anything else?
  
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- FOG on Jan 13, 2017
  
  @JimZ No, JimZ. In the future I will remember that your are jerk, but one that has time to backup their crap and thus not waste anybody's time providing you a stage to show the world how smart you are. We will just ignore words like "found" no issues. I have been schooled by you, you are so smart, you should try to have your own blog...
  
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- Vulpine on Jan 13, 2017
  
  Those standards are not unrealistic if BEVs and FCEVs emit absolute no pollutants (in and of themselves) and achieve more than double the current fuel economy standards at the same time.
  
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