A day after federal authorities announced criminal charges against Volkswagen and six of its executives for cheating on emission standards, the EPA on Thursday accused Chrysler Fiat of a similar misdeed..
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a notice of violation against Fiat Chrysler for allegedly violating the Clean Air Act for installing and failing to disclose diesel engine management software in 2014-16 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Ram 1500 trucks with 3.0 liter diesel engines sold in the U.S.
The undisclosed program increased emissions of nitrogen oxides -- greenhose gases -- from roughly 104,000 vehicles, the EPA says.
After the VW tampering was uncovered, regulators looked closer at other brands -- which led to the new case.
FCA issued a statement on Thursday, saying it's disappointed by the decision:
"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."
EPA is working in coordination with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which has also issued a notice of violation to FCA.
“Failing to disclose software that affects emissions in a vehicle’s engine is a serious violation of the law, which can result in harmful pollution in the air we breathe,” Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, in a statement.. “We continue to investigate the nature and impact of these devices. All automakers must play by the same rules, and we will continue to hold companies accountable that gain an unfair and illegal competitive advantage.”
