Volkswagen stated on Thursday it has consented to pay $157.45 million to settle environmental claims from 10 American states concerning its excess diesel emissions, as the automaker plans to move past the scandal.
The settlement spans states including New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Washington, along with some customer claims. In last year, the German automaker reached a $603 million agreement with 44 US states, however that settlement did not cover claims in Thursday’s announcement.
The settlement likewise needs the automaker to offer a minimum of 3 new electric automobiles in the 10 states by 2020, consisting of two SUVs. Volkswagen concurred in December to provide the cars in California in the same timespan.
In overall, Volkswagen has agreed to spend as much as $25 billion in the United States to resolve claims from owners, environmental regulators, states and dealerships and to make buy-back deals.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman informed the state’s $32.5 million share of the settlement is the state’s largest- ever air pollution fine and “explains that no company– however big or powerful– is above the law.”
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey stated the state’s $20 million share is the largest-ever state environmental civil charge.
The settlement is considerably less than exactly what the states had looked for, when they took legal action against the automaker last year.
Washington state had told in 2016 it prepared to enforce $176 million in charges connected to state ecological claims, while other states told they looked for penalties amounting to hundreds of millions dollars.
Volkswagen stated the deal with 10 state attorney generals of the United States avoids further prolonged and pricey lawsuits as Volkswagen continues to work to earn back the trust of its clients, regulators and the public.
