General Motors will retire an estimated 50 million metric tons of greenhouse gas credits to resolve an EPA inquiry into the automaker’s excess CO2 emissions in millions of its vehicles. The agreement follows the determination by the EPA’s light-duty vehicle in-use testing program that 5.9 million GM model year 2012-2018 vehicles were emitting more CO2 than originally reported.
Findings of EPA Investigation:-
The light-duty vehicle standards of the EPA are to make sure that the gases emitted by the vehicle during certification meet stated emissions performance levels of the vehicles. The automakers are required to test one- and four-year-old representative vehicles and present the results to the EPA. It turned out that both GM’s and EPA’s tests showed the vehicles had been emitting more than 10 percent higher CO2 on average than what estimates were given by GM’s compliance report initially. This discrepancy brought about the current settlement in which GM will retire quite a sizeable amount of greenhouse gas credits.
Settlement Agreement Details:
The agreement affects nearly 4.6 million full-size pickups and SUVs and a further 1.3 million mid-size SUVs from the 2012 to 2018 model years. More popular models central to this settlement include the Chevrolet Equinox and Silverado, Tahoe, and the GMC Terrain and Yukon. This move underlines the acknowledgment by GM of the discrepancies and its commitment towards rectifying the environmental impact.
In-Use Testing Program b fix y EPA –
The in-use testing program operates alongside EPA’s vehicle standards, which are essential for guaranteeing actual climate protection. This includes the recently finalized light-duty vehicle standards expected to avoid more than 7 billion tons of carbon emissions and provide nearly $100 billion in annual net benefits. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan added that this investigative role of enforcement ensures accountability and maintains a program critical to reducing air pollution, thus maintaining protection to communities.
Impact on GM and Future Compliance: –
The move of GM to retire 50 million metric tons of credits of greenhouse gases will be noted down in the next Automotive Trends and GHG Compliance Report by EPA, which is likely to be released later this year. The action reaffirms EPA’s enforcement against vehicles that do not meet the emission standards and holds automobile manufacturers accountable for environmental performance. Continued monitoring and enforcement actions by EPA preserve the integrity of the vehicle emissions standards and mitigate tons of harmful emissions from millions of vehicles operating today.
Conclusion:
This settlement between GM and the EPA reflects the grave view that the company has with regard to stringent emissions standards and the role regulatory oversight plays in ensuring environmental compliance. By agreeing to retire a pretty good number of greenhouse gas credits, GM swings a deal toward the excess emissions from its vehicles and tucks in its commitment to sustainability.
Source: EPA