Beshear said it is a good deal for Kentuckians who have Volkswagens, Audis or Porsches with the TDI, or so-called clean diesel engines, and it’s something Kentucky negotiated separately from the other states suing the German vehicle maker. The company will also give $2.7 billion to the Environmental Protection Agency, and $2 billion toward “American clean energy technology”, The Post reported. A separate resolution with US states settles state-level consumer protection claims. If owners want to keep their vehicles and wait to see if VW and Audi develop federally-approved emissions fixes, they can and will also receive a cash payment of at least $5,100.
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Volkswagen also agreed to offer $2.7 billion during a three-year period that will go to government agencies to help replace old buses and address infrastructure inefficiencies, with the ultimate goal to reduce carbon emissions. The settlement is one of the largest consumer buyback programs in USA history.
Breyer reminded lawyers Thursday that he hasn’t approved that settlement yet. The settlement also does not resolve the class-action claims brought by US dealers who were financially affected by Volkswagen’s actions.
Nevertheless, he said upon EPA approval of repairs for affected USA vehicles the repairs would be offered to Volkswagen customers in Canada. Volkswagen has admitted that the cars, equipped with 2-liter diesel engines, were programmed to turn on emissions controls during government lab tests and turn them off while on the road. Diesel engines are more cost-efficient than hybrids for vehicle companies, he claimed.
How VW would fix the vehicles to bring them into compliance with clean air laws has not yet been finalized, the person said.
The settlement requires Volkswagen to offer to buy back the cars or find a way to fix them-which so far has eluded the company. VW has to submit any proposed fixes to the EPA between November of 2016 and October of 2017.
Answer: A typical 2009 Jetta diesel was worth about $8,400 before the scandal, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Elizabeth Cabraser, the lead attorney for consumers who sued the company, said that the judgment sent out a clear message to manufacturers in terms of their responsibilities to consumers.
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A year ago regulators in the United States found that a number of VW cars were fitted with software capable of distorting emissions tests. On the road, the cars emit up to 40 times the federal nitrogen oxide limit, but software hides that during emissions tests.
