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Settlement Reached in Volkswagen Emissions Scandal

4.3 Million Vehicles Affected

Volkswagen has reached a $4.3 billion settlement with the United States government over the emissions scandal that has affected 4.3 million vehicles. The German automaker will pay $1.5 billion in criminal fines and $2.8 billion in civil penalties, making this the largest criminal fine ever imposed on an automaker.

The scandal began in 2015 when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accused Volkswagen of installing software in its vehicles that allowed them to cheat on emissions tests. The software allowed the vehicles to emit up to 40 times the legal limit of nitrogen oxides, a harmful pollutant that can contribute to smog and respiratory problems.

Volkswagen has admitted to installing the software in about 11 million vehicles worldwide, including 4.3 million in the United States. The settlement announced today covers only the vehicles in the United States.

As part of the settlement, Volkswagen will also be required to buy back the affected vehicles or fix them at its own expense. The company has already spent about $17.5 billion on recalls and other costs related to the scandal.

The settlement is a major victory for the EPA and the Justice Department, which have been investigating the emissions scandal for more than two years. It is also a major blow to Volkswagen, which has seen its sales and reputation plummet in the wake of the scandal.