Volkswagen Information & Document Archive

Information on Volkswagen Settlement - ZEV Investments

The 2-Liter Consent Decree includes a section (known as Appendix C) that requires VW to invest $800 million in ZEV projects in California over a 10-year period. Eligible projects include installing zero-emission vehicle fueling infrastructure (for both electric- and hydrogen-powered cars), funding brand-neutral consumer awareness campaigns that will help grow the ZEV vehicle market, and investing in projects such as car-sharing programs that will increase access to ZEVs for all consumers in California, including those in lower-income and disadvantaged communities. These projects will support the next generation of California ZEVs, helping to grow the state's burgeoning ZEV program and lay the foundation for achieving the State's air quality and climate change goals.

More Information

VW 2.0 L Diesel Vehicle Consent Decree

Volkswagen Documents

Opening Statement by CARB Chair Nichols to the Bundestag (German Parliament) 5th Inquiry Commission, March 6, 2017
CARB response to European EMIS Committee: September 22, 2016
Joint Oversight Hearing: Volkswagen’s “Defeat Device:” Update and Implications for California: March 8, 2016
UPDATE: ARB acknowledges Audi recall plan received: February 4, 2016
UPDATE: ARB acknowledges Porsche recall plan received): February 4, 2016
UPDATE: Air Resources Board confirms receipt of recall plans for Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen 3.0 liter diesels: Press Release - February 2, 2016

January 12th, 2016 documents:

A: CARB Executive Officer Richard Corey letter to VW: January 12, 2016
B: 2.0 liter Recall Rejection: January 12, 2016
C: Notice of Violation: January 12, 2016
D: Air Resources Board rejects VW 2-liter diesel recall plan and issues Notice of Violation: Press Release - January 12, 2016
E: VW 2-liter diesel car denial of recall, and Notice of Violation FAQs: January 12, 2016
UPDATE: U.S. EPA files complaint against Audi, Porsche, and VW for alleged Clean Air act violations: January 4, 2016
UPDATE: CARB sends VW letter on proposed recall plan: December 18, 2015
California In-use Compliance Letter to VW, Audi and Porsche: November 25, 2015
Volkswagen submits recall plan for 2-liter diesel cars to California Air Resources Board: Press Release - November 20, 2015
Statement from CARB on defeat devices on 3-liter VW, Audi diesel engines: Press Release - November 20, 2015
ARB expands diesel investigation to other automakers
California In-use Compliance Letter: November 2, 2015
California In-use Compliance Letter: September 18, 2015
U.S. EPA documents and notifications
Congressional testimony/hearing: October 8, 2015

Background on Past Actions

On September 18, 2015 the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and U.S. EPA notified Volkswagen that the company is in violation of state and federal vehicle emissions rules. The violations involve the company's use of an illegal software "defeat device" on 2.0 liter diesel vehicles in model years 2009-2015 to turn off required emissions control equipment. ARB, U.S. EPA and other agencies are investigating to fully understand the capabilities of this software and the scope of the damage it has caused.
As a result of the notification, Volkswagen and Audi were required to develop a recall plan to be reviewed by CARB and U.S. EPA to ensure that the proposed actions to fix the affected vehicles would restore them to meet clean air requirements.
On November 20, 2015 VW, covering both VW and Audi models, submitted a proposed 2.0 liter engine recall plan for CARB review.
On January 12, 2016 CARB formally rejected that recall plan and issued a Notice of Violation that included 13 separate violations.
Based on problems identified with the VW and Audi 2.0 liter diesel vehicles, CARB, in conjunction with its partners at EPA and Environment Canada, commenced testing of the VW, Audi, and Porsche 3.0 liter diesel vehicles.
On November 25, 2015 CARB informed VW, Audi and Porsche that they needed to correct a range of noncompliance issues, including an illegal defeat device, on 3.0 liter diesel engines model years 2009-2016.
On February 2, 2016 those companies submitted a recall plan for 3.0 liter engines for CARB review.

Next Steps

CARB, in conjunction with the U.S. EPA, will continue to evaluate VW, Audi, and Porsche’s technical proposals to determine if and in what way the affected vehicles can be fixed. We will also address the issue of mitigating the past and future harm to the environment as a result of excess NO_X emissions. And, we will continue to assess and determine the penalties for the violations of California air quality regulations.