EPA Accuses Jeep of Diesel Cheating

Diesel. It has been the dream of Jeep Wrangler owners everywhere and there is no lack of rumors about the next generation Jeep Wrangler JL having a diesel option.

The Next Gen JL Diesel Option May be In Jeopardy

But according to Forbes that may be in jeopardy as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency accused Fiat Chrysler of using software that faked emission results — similar to the billion dollar problem Volkswagen has been dealing with since admitting wrong doing in 2015.

The EPA and California Air Resources Board told the automaker it believes its undeclared auxiliary emissions control software allowed vehicles to generate excess pollution in violation of the law.

FCA said in a statement on Thursday that it is “disappointed” with the EPA assertions. It also said that its “diesel-powered vehicles meet all applicable regulatory requirements.

FCA said will prove to the EPA that its emissions controls are “properly justified and thus are not ‘defeat devices’ under applicable regulations.”

Regulators said the company failed to disclose engine management software in 104,000 U.S. 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Ram 1500 trucks with 3.0-liter diesel engines. The undisclosed software results in increased emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the vehicles. EPA is still investigating if the software constitutes a “defeat device.”

“Failing to disclose software that affects emissions in a vehicle’s engine is a serious violation of the law, which can result in harmful pollution in the air we breathe,” said Cynthia Giles, an EPA official, in a statement.

California Air Resource Board chair Mary Nichols said, “Once again, a major automaker made the business decision to skirt the rules and got caught.”

You can read more at Forbes.com