Massive UK Lawsuits Accuse Carmakers of Diesel Emissions Test Cheating

In a landmark trial starting in London, over 1.6 million claimants have accused major car manufacturers of manipulating diesel emissions tests. This legal battle, described as one of the largest mass lawsuits in British history, follows a decade after the infamous Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal.

Key Allegations Against Major Carmakers

Claimants allege that companies including Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Nissan, Renault, and Stellantis brands (Peugeot and Citroen) used illegal “defeat devices” in diesel vehicles produced between 2012 and 2017. These devices reportedly allowed cars to pass emissions tests while emitting nitrogen oxides (NOx) at levels much higher than legal limits during regular driving.

Environmental Impact and Consumer Rights

• NOx emissions from affected vehicles are claimed to be up to 12 times higher than permissible levels.
• The legal claims are centered around environmental damage and consumer compensation rights.

The manufacturers assert that these allegations are “fundamentally flawed.” They contend that emissions control systems are designed to operate differently under various conditions, citing engineering and safety reasons for these calibrations.

Details of the High Court Trial

The trial will review a sample of 20 diesel vehicles from the accused manufacturers. The High Court will decide if these vehicles contained the alleged defeat devices. A decision regarding damages owed to claimants will follow in an additional trial next year.

Wider Implications

• Approximately 850,000 claimants are partaking in this initial phase, with another 800,000 claims potentially affected based on the court’s ruling.
• This decision may also impact claims against manufacturers like Vauxhall/Opel and BMW.

In 2020, the High Court ruled against Volkswagen in a similar case, leading to a settlement in 2022 without an admission of liability. The carmaker has faced significant financial repercussions, totaling over 32 billion euros in costs related to vehicle refits, fines, and legal fees.

Industry Responses and Future Outlook

Representatives from the accused manufacturers have countered the claims, arguing that the issues highlighted by the claimants do not uniformly apply to the automotive industry. Renault’s lawyer emphasized that the claims are based on a misunderstanding that “dieselgate” characteristics are evident across all manufacturers.

This trial’s outcome is crucial, not just for the involved parties, but for the broader automotive industry, which is still grappling with the ramifications of diesel emissions scandals.