Lauren Lantry (202) 548-6599 lauren.lantry@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Yesterday, ten states including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, reached a $157.45 million settlement with Volkswagen AG over the “Dieselgate” scandal. Under the settlement, Volkswagen must pay the states set amounts and must provide consumers three electric car models, including two electric SUVs, by 2020. This effectively triples VW’s current offering and expands consumer choice in the electric vehicles available for sale. The $157 million settlement will be split among the states. The $157 million settlement will be split among the states in addition to the funds from last year's $14.7 billion settlement.
It is estimated that the 11 million affected vehicles worldwide could be causing as much air pollution as 20 coal plants every year.
In response, Sierra Club Electric Vehicles Initiative Director Gina Coplon-Newfield released the following statement:
"While Volkswagen faces billions in fines, people around the world breathing dirtier air are paying with their health, and in some cases, their lives. This settlement, by penalizing VW for its offenses and by driving clean electric vehicle use forward, is a step toward cleaner air, a safer climate, better clean vehicle choices, and corporate accountability.”
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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 2.7 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.