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posted by janrinok on Sunday September 08 2019, @05:40AM   Printer-friendly

Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:

Four major automakers that recently reached an agreement with the state of California to hold to certain emissions standards over the next decade are now the target of a federal antitrust investigation.

Ford, Honda, BMW, and Volkswagen confirmed to media they have been contacted about the probe, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

"Honda will work cooperatively with the Department of Justice with regard to the recent emissions agreement reached between the State of California and various automotive manufacturers, including Honda," the company said. BMW and Ford also confirmed receiving a letter from the DOJ, and Volkswagen said it is in "regular contact" with US authorities.

The companies reached an agreement with the California Air Resource Board (CARB) in July to produce cars for the US market that exceed national level-fuel efficiency standards. Under the terms of the deal, the automakers will improve their overall fleets' average fuel efficiency by 3.7% per year, starting with the 2022 model year. The plan also includes certain incentives to promote a transition to widespread manufacture and adoption of electric vehicles.

In a separate action from the DOJ probe, the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation also sent a letter (PDF) to "put California on notice."

"This framework agreement appears to be inconsistent with Federal law," the agencies said. "We urge you to act immediately to disassociate CARB from the commitments made by the four automakers. Those commitments may result in legal consequences given the limits placed in Federal law on California's authority."

State leadership, however, does not appear likely to give way in response to the threat. "The Trump Administration has been attempting and failing to bully car companies for months now," California Governor Gavin Newsom said in an emailed statement. "We remain undeterred. California stands up to bullies and will keep fighting for stronger clean car protections that protect the health and safety of our children and families."

CARB chairwoman Mary D. Nichols in an emailed statement said the DOJ "brings its weight to bear against auto companies in an attempt to frighten them out of voluntarily making cleaner, more efficient cars and trucks than EPA wants. Consumers might ask, who is [EPA Administrator] Andy Wheeler protecting?"


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  • (Score: 4, Insightful) by krishnoid on Sunday September 08 2019, @02:36PM (1 child)

    by krishnoid (1156) on Sunday September 08 2019, @02:36PM (#891303)

    If I can buy a vehicle that will drive 500 miles, then recharge on household current in an hour and a half, I would most definitely consider it.

    So you can get back in the car and keep driving? You, sir, must have super-powered wakefulness and buns of steel, and I applaud both (or all three) of those.

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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 08 2019, @05:44PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 08 2019, @05:44PM (#891347)
    Easy if you have a second driver.