The Volkswagen emissions scandal, more commonly known as ‘dieselgate’, is one of the most significant corporate fraud cases in history. This scandal not only exposed the lengths to which major car manufacturers would go to deceive regulators and customers, but also highlighted the widespread impact of corporate malfeasance on the environment and public health.
The birth of a scandal
In September 2015, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Volkswagen had been using illegal software in their diesel engines to cheat emissions tests. This “defeat device” software could detect when a car was undergoing emissions testing and activate full emissions controls to meet regulatory standards. However, during regular driving conditions, the software would deactivate or reduce the effectiveness of these controls, leading to nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions up to 40 times higher than the legal limit.
The initial discovery was made by a small team of researchers at West Virginia University, who were conducting on-road tests of diesel vehicles. They found significant discrepancies between the emissions levels recorded during official tests and those observed in real-world driving. These findings prompted further investigations by the EPA, ultimately revealing the widespread use of defeat devices by Volkswagen and other car manufacturers.
Volkswagen’s admission to using defeat devices affected approximately 11 million vehicles worldwide, including nearly 1.2 million in the UK. The scandal not only damaged Volkswagen’s reputation but also led to significant financial consequences for the company. In the U.S., Volkswagen faced billions in fines, penalties, and compensation to car owners. Similar legal actions and settlements followed in other countries.
The impact of dieselgate
Environmental and Health Effects
The environmental impact of dieselgate is substantial. NOx emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution, leading to smog and respiratory problems. The increased emissions from the affected vehicles contributed to air quality issues and had potential health implications for millions of people worldwide.
Impact on Affected Car Owners
In response to the scandal, Volkswagen initiated recalls to fix the affected vehicles. This involved updating the software and, in some cases, modifying hardware to ensure compliance with emissions standards. However, these fixes were not without controversy, as some owners reported reduced vehicle performance and fuel efficiency after the updates. Ultimately, this scandal resulted in significant financial losses to vehicle owners due to high fuel bills, excessive maintenance costs, and cars being worth less than what the drivers originally paid for them.
While Volkswagen has settled numerous lawsuits related to dieselgate, legal actions continue, and we believe that owners and lessors of affected Volkswagen vehicles in the UK deserve to be compensated for their losses.
In the UK, affected drivers still have the opportunity to join group action claims to seek compensation for their losses. The deadline to register for these claims is 27 September 2024, and it’s crucial for eligible individuals to act promptly.
For those affected by the scandal, now is the time to seek justice. Check your eligibility for a no-win, no-fee compensation claim and find out if you could join a group action to hold Volkswagen accountable. Together, we can ensure that such a breach of trust never happens again.
