Volvo Ordered to Pay EPA Penalties Over Non-Trucking Engines
Volvo Group, the parent of Volvo Trucks North America, has been ordered to pay penalties and interest of approximately $74.1 million to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding emission compliance of the company’s marine diesel engines.
Volvo Group, the parent of Volvo Trucks North America, has been ordered to pay penalties and interest of approximately $74.1 million to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding emission compliance of the company’s marine diesel engines.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit affirmed a District Court’s ruling that model year 2005 Volvo Penta engines violated the provisions of a consent decree. Volvo says the engines in question are not on-highway engines and should not be covered by the decree.
This is expected to have a negative impact on the group’s operating income of approximately $64 million in the third quarter, according to the company.
In 2012 the District Court issued a judgment ordering the Volvo Group to pay penalties and interest for engines which Volvo claims were not part of the decree. Volvo filed an appeal on several grounds.
The company said it is reviewing the ruling in detail, and will consider whether to appeal.
In 1998, the EPA signed consent decrees with a number of manufacturers of heavy diesel engines for sale in the United States, including Volvo Truck.
“The Volvo consent decree covered engines in highway vehicles but also covered certain engines in construction equipment,” said Kina Wileke, senior vice president, media relations, Volvo Group. “Volvo Penta was not made a party to the consent decree and Volvo did not consider Penta engines subject to the consent decree. Most of Volvo Penta’s engines manufactured during the relevant period were marine engines, which are not within the class of engines covered in the consent decree.”
In addition, Wileka said Volvo Penta’s engines within the relevant size classifications are used primarily for industrial applications, for example stationary diesel generators, rather than in mobile sources as contemplated by the decree.
The news comes as the parent to Volvo Group on Friday said its second quarter profit increased despite a small slip in revenue.
It said European truck order demand is recovering more slowly than expected, eclipsing positive news from regions such as North America, according to the Wall Street Journal. Volvo's results missed analysts' expectations, according to Reuters.
Net income amounted to SEK 2.5 billion, or $378.6 million in the quarter, increasing 21.5% from the second quarter of 2013, while net truck sales increased 4% from a year earlier.
More Fuel Smarts

How GP Transco Builds Fuel Savings a Fraction at a Time
Aerodynamic specs, solar panels, and driver incentives help GP Transco turn small efficiency gains into savings it can reinvest in its people.
Read More →
Trucking’s Diesel Squeeze Isn’t Letting Up
With diesel topping $6 a gallon nationally, ATA's Bob Costello explains why fleets should prepare for continued pressure at the pump.
Read More →
FlowBelow Redesigns Trailer AeroSlider to Cut Fuel Use
The lighter trailer aerodynamic system installs in less than 45 minutes, according to the company, with potential payback in under a year depending on fuel prices and trailer mileage.
Read More →
Why Diesel Price Relief Efforts May Fall Short
Diesel prices have eased from September’s record high, but doubts about additional Russian supply and limits on dyed-diesel tax relief mean trucking fleets still face expensive fuel. And prices could go higher.
Read More →Why Small Fuel Savings Matter in Trucking
Can better fuel economy help pay for driver raises? In this podcast, GP Transco explains how small efficiency gains create room to reinvest in its people.
Read More →How GP Transco Cuts Trucking Fuel Costs, a Tenth of a Gallon at a Time
What’s another tenth of a mile per gallon worth? GP Transco shares how equipment upgrades and driver coaching turn small gains into meaningful fuel savings.
Read More →
Electric Yard Tractors Move Beyond Pilots
Operating-cost savings have overtaken sustainability goals as the leading reason surveyed fleets are adopting battery-electric terminal tractors, according to new NACFE research.
Read More →
Geotab Links Fleet Card to Vehicle Data
The new card combines fuel discounts with telematics-based purchase controls. Geotab’s analysis also points to potential savings from choosing lower-priced fuel stops.
Read More →
Fleet Economics Shape Electric Truck Outlook
ACT Research expects costs, charging infrastructure, and technology improvements to drive zero-emission commercial vehicle adoption as federal regulations and incentives retreat.
Read More →
Wex Adds Cardless Fuel Payments for Over-the-Road Customers
A new fuel card feature for Wex customers offers convenience and security.
Read More →
