Lauren Lantry (202) 548-6599 lauren.lantry@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced findings that Fiat Chrysler used cheat devices in more than 100,000 U.S. diesel vehicles sold since 2014, including the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks and Jeep Grand Cherokees with 3.0-liter diesel engines. These emissions cheating devices allow the vehicles to pass emissions control tests while emitting excess emissions when in daily use.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
"Fiat Chrysler is allegedly now the latest automaker that has willingly put the health of our families in jeopardy by cheating on emissions tests. No profit margin is worth poisoning our neighborhoods with toxic smog. After Volkswagen, Mercedes, Mitsubishi in Japan, Chevrolet in Europe and several other auto companies duped consumers, we’re not surprised, but we’re disappointed and angry.
“This deceit is as dangerous as the sickening smog these vehicles leave behind. Consumers deserve corporate accountability and clean cars that don’t make our families sick. Without strict penalties, and without fixing or removing the polluting vehicles, people will continue to breathe dirtier air, and manufacturers will believe they can endanger our health without feeling the full consequences. We applaud the EPA for putting health and safety first.
“It’s time the auto industry shifts its focus much more rapidly to electric vehicles, because without tailpipes, it’s difficult to cheat on tailpipe emissions tests.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 2.4 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.