The maker of Jeep and Ram vehicles, Stellantis, has reached an agreement to meet California’s stricter vehicle emissions requirements in coming years, state and company officials announced.
Stellantis Agrees to a Five-Year Effort in Stricter Vehicle Emissions
Stellantis had originally sought to join a voluntary deal between California’s air quality agency and other major automakers — including Ford, Volkswagen, and Honda — struck in 2019, but had long been unsuccessful.
The automaker late last year filed a petition to void the agreement altogether. The company argued that the requirements had forced it to limit shipments of gas-powered vehicles — and sales of plug-in EVs — in California and the other states that have mirrored its emissions rules. Stellantis also said it had reduced operations at two of its plants in Michigan and Ohio.
Complying with National Emissions Rules
The agreement with the California Air Resources Board, Reuters reports, would allow its compliance with state rules to be based on national sales rather than on sales in the 14 states adopting California’s standard.
Stellantis Lowers Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Stellantis, meanwhile, said it would not oppose California’s authority to impose the requirements under the federal Clean Air Act and said that it would continue complying with them through 2030 — even if they ultimately cannot be enforced.
Stellantis executives said the agreement would prevent 10 million to 12 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the deal.
Stellantis to Produce More EVs
Stellantis currently offers two battery-electric vehicles and five plug-in hybrid models in the U.S. It plans to introduce eight new EVs in the U.S. market this year. The company has set goals for EVs to comprise half of its new car sales in the U.S. by 2030. By 2038, Stellantis aims to be net-zero carbon.
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