The embattled automaker’s plan to fix 580,000 affected US vehicles in its emissions scandal didn’t meet the standards of the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is also investigating VW, issued a statement saying it agreed with California regulators but was operating on a different timetable.
Two issues that contributed to the plan’s rejection include lack of specificity in detail that would allow enforcement officials to adequately evaluate the repairs from a technical standpoint; and the failure of the plan to fully address the emissions problems caused by the cheat devices. Sales in the second half of 2015 dropped by as much as 25% in some regions of the country, in large part because without EPA approval the company was forbidden to sell new and certain certified used diesel cars – which typically account for about 25% of overall sales.
The U.S. Justice Department, representing EPA, filed a civil lawsuit last week that could potentially expose VW to more than $20 billion in fines under the Clean Air Act.
The CEO went on to say that is he is “working day and night to make a change process within Volkswagen”. The cars are equipped with illegal software that activates during emissions tests, then once back on the road the cars emit up to 40 times the legal standard of nitrogen oxide emissions. The carmaker “continued and compounded the lie, and when they were caught they tried to deny it”, Nichols added on Tuesday.
VW first admitted in September that the suspect software was installed in cars with its popular 2.0-liter diesel engines. VW’s submission for a fix for its 3.0-liter diesel engines is due to CARB on February 2.
VW said that Mueller was aware that his choice of words caused irritation and said he wanted the USA public to know that his apology for the company’s breach of trust was sincere and honest.
VW responded that the rejection only applies to its initial recall plan submitted in December and that the company has been meeting with CARB to address a framework for resolving the cheating scandal.
The straight-spoken Mueller may have touched a nerve with US authorities as well, ahead of a Wednesday meeting with EPA chief Gina McCarthy.
“Volkswagen is committed to working cooperatively with CARB and other regulators, and we plan to continue our discussions tomorrow when we meet with the EPA”, company spokesman Darryll Harrison said.
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The complaint also alleges VW had lied in its applications for the device to the EPA and CARB.
