Hino Motors Fined $1.6 Billion for Emissions Violations
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Hino Motors, a Toyota subsidiary, will pay more than $1.6 billion to resolve federal and state claims over falsified emissions data and excess pollution from more than 100,000 diesel engines sold in the U.S.
The settlement, announced Jan. 15 by the U.S. Department of Justice and multiple federal and state agencies, includes criminal and civil penalties in one of the largest enforcement actions in Environmental Protection Agency mobile source program history. The company acknowledged submitting incorrect emissions and fuel consumption data to regulators, affecting more than 110,000 diesel engines imported and sold in the U.S. between 2010 and 2022.
“Hino Motors … agreed to plead guilty to engaging in a criminal conspiracy to mislead regulators and consumers that violated federal environmental laws and endangered public health,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. “No company is above the law.”
Under the plea agreement, which requires court approval, Hino Motors will pay a $521.76 million criminal fine and serve a five-year probation during which it cannot import diesel engines into the U.S. The company also agreed to a $1.087 billion forfeiture money judgment and must implement a compliance and ethics program.
Hino Motors, a Toyota Subsidiary, Agrees to Plead Guilty and Pay Over $1.6B to Resolve Emissions Fraud Schemehttps://t.co/LTgnoeOyXm — DOJ Environment and Natural Resources Division (@DOJEnvironment) January 16, 2025
Based on its financial condition, Hino will pay $525 million in civil fines. The settlement includes $155 million for mitigation projects to address excess emissions, $144.2 million for recalls to achieve emissions compliance, and $123.6 million for environmental and enforcement projects in California. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the company had improperly utilized the state’s clean transportation technology incentives.
Company engineers disclosed modifying emissions test data and not reporting certain software functions that could affect engines’ emissions controls. The EPA voided certifications for Hino models manufactured between 2010 and 2019, which the agency called its largest such action.
We're announcing a $525 million civil penalty against Hino Motors for falsifying fuel consumption, among other data. This is the largest civil penalty settlement involving NHTSA and follows a multi-agency investigation.
Read more: https://t.co/AjbUexSEGW pic.twitter.com/JExFZi6388 — nhtsagov (@NHTSAgov) January 16, 2025
“Hino knew the requirements that engines must meet to be certified to operate in the United States, yet it falsified data for years to skirt regulations,” said Todd Kim, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Hino’s actions led to vast amounts of excess air pollution and were an egregious violation of our nation’s environmental, consumer protection and import laws.”
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The excess emissions included approximately 41,941 tons of nitrogen oxides, 6,199 tons of carbon dioxide, and hundreds of tons of particulate matter and nitrous oxide. The NOx emissions impact was equivalent to removing more than 110,000 heavy-duty trucks from the road.
Hino will fund projects to replace older engines and install idle reduction technology in locomotives to offset the environmental impact.
The proposed settlement resolves claims brought by California under the False Claims Act. The consent decree awaits a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.
