EPA accuses Fiat Chrysler of failing to disclose emissions software

DETROIT — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday accused Fiat Chrysler Automobiles of cheating on its diesel emissions software to get better fuel economy for the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel pickup and other vehicles, charges that CEO Sergio Marchionne quickly and forcefully disputed.

The EPA said it has notified FCA that it sold the software on more than 104,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs and Ram 1500 EcoDiesels.

The EPA said the automaker failed to disclose engine management software in those vehicles for the 2014-2016 model years and said the undisclosed software results in increased emissions of nitrogen oxides from the vehicles.

“This is a clear and serious violation of the Clean Air Act,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s office of compliance. “Some of the devices appear to cause the vehicle to perform differently when being tested and when in use.”

The automaker immediately pushed back on the EPA’s findings, saying it is “disappointed,” with the agency’s decision. The company’s stock had plunged 11 percent, or $1.22 per share, to $9.86 in trading by midday.

Marchionne, in a hastily arranged press conference, said the automaker has been communicating with the agency for more than a year and said the disagreement over the calibration of the engines is vastly different than the intentional installation of defeat devices the agency found on Volkswagen vehicles in 2015.

“We are having a difference of opinion of whether the calibration met the regulations or did not meet the regulations,” Marchionne said. “We find it strange, and it’s unfortunate that EPA decided to do this this morning in such a public manner.”

Marchionne questioned the timing of the EPA’s announcement since the current administration will only be in office for another eight days.