— A Cummins EPA settlement has been reached for nearly $1.7 billion between the engine manufacturer, the U.S. Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Attorney General’s Office over alleged emissions violations.
It's the largest civil penalty for allegedly violating the U.S. Clean Air Act.
Cummins denies all wrongdoing and insists there has never been any problems with the diesel engines.
In addition to the $1.675 billion civil penalty, Cummins has agreed to fund and perform projects to allegedly mitigate ozone-creating nitrogen oxides emitted from Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 trucks. In total, the settlement is valued at more than $2 billion.
The entire ordeal relates to alleged emissions violations in 2013-2023 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 trucks.
According to the massive settlement, Cummins allegedly installed emissions defeat devices on 630,000 model year 2013-2019 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 truck engines.
The EPA describes a defeat device as a part or software that bypasses, defeats or shuts off emissions controls such as emission sensors and onboard computers.
Cummins also allegedly installed auxiliary emission control devices on 330,000 model year 2019-2023 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 engines, but those trucks will not be recalled.
The EPA and Justice Department claim the Cummins engines have emitted thousands of tons of nitrogen oxide emissions which can eventually lead to breathing and respiratory problems.
The alleged illegal activity occurred over the past 10 years as Cummins allegedly altered the Ram truck engines. About 630,000 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks will be recalled.
Cummins will also be punished by California for allegedly equipping 2013-2019 Ram trucks with defeat devices.
For California, Cummins will make a lump sum payment to CARB of more than $175 million to fund mitigation actions or projects that allegedly reduce nitrogen oxide emissions in California through CARB mitigation programs.
But for the rest of the country, the issue leaves the subject of automobiles and moves to trains.
"First, Cummins will finance and ensure the replacement of 27 old, high-emitting diesel locomotive engines with new, low-emitting diesel or electric engines. Second, Cummins will fund and complete 50 projects that will reduce idling time for diesel-powered switch locomotives to reduce fuel usage and emissions of NOx, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide. — Cummins EPA settlement
Cummins can blame Volkswagen for starting the emissons investigations that spread to several companies.
