The California Air Resources Board confirmed that the Volkswagen Group of America submitted proposals to diesel-engine cars that will pass the state's air quality standards. The plan was to bring Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche vehicles with six-cylinder, 3.0-liter diesel engines up to par with the state's emissions standards.
David Clegern, a spokesman for the board, confirmed that they received the plan but did not provide any other details until the board completed its review, Yahoo News reported Feb. 3, citing the Associated Press. The automotive firm submitted the same proposal to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The plan was in connection to the scandal that erupted last September, wherein Volkswagen allegedly violated the Clean Air Act. The car manufacturer was accused of manipulating emission controls that will have its cars pass the EPA standards when being tested, but the sold cars were actually failing these air quality standards.
The number of affected cars sold by the firm was estimated at 85,000, purchased by U.S. citizens between 2009 and 2015, Yahoo News noted. The roster included Porsche AUVs and Audis sold under the Volkswagen Group.
Further, the scandal not only involved cars sold by the Volkswagen Group in the U.S. but also in Europe. European regulators permitted the firm to recall 8.5 million VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat vehicles with the affected diesel engines, Automotive News Europe reported Jan. 28. German regulators likewise approved the firm's planned fixes to its Amarok pickup with 2.0-liter diesel engines.
Earlier in January, the California board already received but rejected a proposal from Volkswagen, Reuters reported. The plan involves 2.0-liter diesel cars. The board reasoned that the proposal was rejected since it was "incomplete, substantially deficient and falls far short of meeting the legal requirements."
The U.S. Justice Department filed a case against the firm in January, which could lead to penalties of more than $20 billion in fines under the Clean Air Act. Volkswagen could also be charged with additional civil penalties, Yahoo News noted.
