Cummins Paid Record $1.675 Billion Penalty Over Diesel Emissions Defeat Devices

Summary

In January 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Justice and California authorities announced a major settlement with Cummins Inc. over diesel engines installed in Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. According to the EPA, Cummins installed software defeat devices in approximately 630,000 model-year 2013–2019 vehicles that reduced the effectiveness of emissions controls during normal driving. Regulators also identified undisclosed auxiliary emission-control devices affecting these vehicles and approximately 330,000 additional model-year 2019–2023 vehicles. Cummins agreed to pay a $1.675 billion civil penalty, which the EPA described as the largest civil penalty ever secured under the Clean Air Act. The settlement also required Cummins to recall and repair affected vehicles, undertake projects to mitigate excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, and implement measures intended to prevent future violations. The EPA estimated the recall and mitigation requirements would cost Cummins more than an additional $326 million. The settlement resolved government claims concerning Cummins' emissions-control practices; Cummins did not admit wrongdoing under the settlement. Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Cummins Vehicle Emission Control Violations Settlement https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/2024-cummins-inc-vehicle-emission-control-violations-settlement U.S. Department of Justice — United States and California Announce Cummins Settlement https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/united-states-and-california-announce-diesel-engine-manufacturer-cummins-inc-agrees-pay EPA — Cummins Consent Decree https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-01/cumminsin2024-cd.pdf