Recalled EVs Should Not Count Toward Automaker Fuel Economy Standards
An eight-month recall of the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid leaves owners unable to charge their vehicles, forcing them to burn gas instead of electricity. The author argues that automakers should face regulatory consequences when recalled electric vehicles contribute to increased emissions.
A Stellantis recall of the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid forces owners to drive without charging their vehicles for eight months due to unexplained fire risks. The automaker finally announces a software update and battery inspection as a fix, though it admits it still does not know the exact root cause of the blazes. During this entire waiting period, owners are instructed not to plug in their minivans, effectively turning these plug-in hybrids into traditional gas-guzzlers.
This inability to charge creates a significant environmental problem that currently lacks regulatory accountability. All of the recalled Pacifica Hybrids that normally operate emissions-free for daily driving are now burning the same amount of gasoline as standard non-hybrid models. Automakers unfairly get to keep counting these recalled electric vehicles toward their fleet-wide fuel economy and emissions standards, even though the cars are actively polluting more on the road.
Beyond the environmental impact, affected owners face steep financial losses from being forced to buy expensive gas during a period of severe price surges. While Stellantis reportedly mails $200 gift cards to particularly vocal customers, most owners receive no compensation for the lost savings and diminished functionality. As the energy transition accelerates, regulators need to implement consequences for automakers whose faulty electric vehicles force consumers back to the gas pump.