California Catches RAM Cheating Emissions, Stellantis to Pay $4.2 Million Fine!

CARB's Settlement with Stellantis

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has reached a $4.2 million settlement with Stellantis over emissions violations involving diesel-powered Ram ProMaster vans. The affected vehicles, model years 2014 to 2016, were equipped with unapproved devices that caused them to emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) at levels exceeding regulatory limits. CARB estimates these vehicles released an additional 55 tons of NOx into the atmosphere during their time on the road.

Details of the Settlement

As part of the settlement, Stellantis will recall and retrofit the affected vans to meet emissions standards. The financial penalty will be split between two major initiatives: $2 million will go into California’s Air Pollution Control Fund, supporting state environmental projects, while $2.1 million will fund a program to incentivize cargo vessel speed reduction near California’s coastline, a measure aimed at improving air quality and protecting marine wildlife.

This settlement is not Stellantis' first run-in with CARB. In 2019, the company faced a significant $305 million civil penalty for using illegal emissions software on over 100,000 vehicles, including Jeep Grand Cherokees and Ram 1500s equipped with 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engines. This settlement involved a total expenditure of approximately $800 million to address recalls, fines, and repair costs.

Stellantis has also been penalized for non-compliance with emissions standards in gasoline-powered vehicles. In 2022, the company agreed to a $5.6 million fine related to more than 30,000 non-compliant Dodge Durango, Ram 1500, and Jeep Grand Cherokee models equipped with 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engines. These cases underscore the company's recurring issues in adhering to environmental regulations.

The End of Diesel ProMaster Vans

The diesel Ram ProMaster vans involved in this latest settlement are no longer in production, with their final model year being 2018. While the 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine offered modest power output and high torque, it has since been replaced by a gas-powered V6 and, more recently, an electric version. The electric ProMaster features a front-mounted motor delivering 268 horsepower and an estimated city driving range of just over 160 miles.