Cummins Inc. to pay $46 million to settle California emissions violations

Engine maker Cummins Inc. has agreed to pay a settlement to California authorities to resolve accusations of violations of the state’s emissions control and certification requirements.

On March 15, California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Cummins had agreed to a $46 million settlement for emissions violations.

CARB says that Cummins “made undisclosed changes to approximately 120,000 engines in California after CARB had certified the engines for sale.”

Officials also say say that “2,000 Cummins engines had undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices that altered the emissions control system and resulted in emissions that exceeded regulatory limits.”

Cummins has reportedly agreed to recall and repair the 2,000 engines with undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices.

The emission violations were discovered through a CARB investigation and through self-reporting by Cummins.

CARB says that Cummins has fully cooperated with their investigation.

“CARB’s rigorous, state-of-the-art enforcement efforts ensure that air quality laws are followed. And if issues are uncovered, collaboration and action from manufacturers such as Cummins make it possible to quickly implement needed fixes to provide the public health and air quality benefits that Californians need and deserve,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, CARB’s Executive Officer. 

“At the California Department of Justice, we are committed to vigorously enforcing environmental laws that protect Californians and our environment,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Today’s settlement makes clear that the DOJ will relentlessly continue its efforts to hold accountable those who seek to profit at the expense of people’s health and safety.”

Late last year, Cummins Inc. agreed to pay the United States and State of California a $1.675 billion penalty to settle claims of violation of the Clean Air Act. The fine was issued after Cummins “allegedly installed defeat devices on 630,000 model year 2013 to 2019 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup truck engines. The company also allegedly installed undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices on 330,000 model year 2019 to 2023 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup truck engines.”