Todd Sax, chief of CARB’s enforcement division, said this month he did not believe a fix was available that would allow the cars to comply with the emissions standards or the onboard diagnostic requirements.
Advertisement
Others say fixes could be achieved, but that they will come at the price of a cut in performance, fuel efficiency or both.
In any case, a specific and detailed plan including timing, cars involved, and payments to consumers should be finalized by the April 21 deadline to avoid a trial, according to the judge. “In other words, as suggested by plaintiffs, the Court would seriously consider whether to hold a bench trial this summer on such relief so that the polluting cars can be addressed forthwith”. “I would hope by the 21st that as many outstanding issues as possible will be wrapped up, but at least the issues of what is to be done with these cars must be resolved by that date”.
Former Federal Bureau of Investigation director Robert Mueller, who is Breyer’s court appointment settlement master, briefed the judge on the status of the talks on Wednesday.
In September past year, United States authorities revealed that VW had used computer software to massage emissions data during tests, sparking the biggest crisis in VW’s history and leading to the departure of the head of the company.
The automaker is facing lawsuits by the U.S. Justice Department and state attorneys general and fines of as much as $46 billion, as well as hundreds of private lawsuits, for installing the so-called defeat device. The move allowed cars to pass laboratory emissions tests while spewing levels of harmful nitrogen oxide at up to 40 times the level allowed when operating on real roads. He said the judge could insert himself in the remediation process and propose his own solution. At a hearing in February, Breyer had given VW one month to come up with a plan that could be executed within six months.
“We continue to make progress and are cooperating fully with the efforts undertaken by Judge Breyer…to bring about a prompt and fair resolution of the U.S. civil litigation”.
Advertisement
“I understand, because I’ve received it, that the parties’ proposed agenda includes a number of additional items related to the progress of discovery and similar issues”. EPA spokeswoman Laura Allen declined to comment on that question, or the status of the talks. “I’m paying a high price for a auto that has no value”, he said, adding he would like the company to buy back the vehicle for the price he paid.
