Carmakers involved in the Dieselgate scandal now face legal action from customers they deceived when they used cheat devices to manipulate emission readings during regulatory testing. The diesel emissions trials are scheduled to happen in January 2023.
However, many car owners still do not know that they can claim compensation from carmakers that mis-sold vehicles that were heavy pollutants to them. Not all affected drivers have had the opportunity to understand the whole diesel emissions issue; some may even be unaware that their vehicles are not the fuel-efficient ones that they were led to believe.
This is why Martin Lewis of the finance-related website MoneySavingExpert decided to reveal which vehicle manufacturers are involved in the scandal.
Dieselgate scandal and defeat devices
Martin Lewis made mention of the 2015 Dieselgate scandal and how the Volkswagen Group was caught using defeat devices in Audi and Volkswagen diesel vehicles that were sold to drivers in the US. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board sent a notice that classified the carmakers’ alleged actions as illegal.
A defeat device can detect when a vehicle is in the lab for regulatory testing. Once it does, the device temporarily suppresses the vehicle’s emission levels to within the World Health Organization’s legal limits. This makes diesel vehicles appear environment-friendly.
Everything changes when the vehicle is brought out and driven on real roads. Under such conditions, the defeat device deactivates, causing the vehicle to revert to its default settings, releasing massive amounts of nitrogen oxide (NOx), a group of dangerous gases that harm the environment and human health.
As a result, authorities asked VW to recall the hundreds upon thousands of affected vehicles. The German carmaker has also spent billions (since 2015) on payoffs – fines, legal costs, compensation, and settlement fees.
Other carmakers are also involved in the Dieselgate diesel emissions scandal. On MoneySavingExpert, Lewis named some of these manufacturers:
- BMW
- Citroën
- Chrysler
- Ford
- Fiat
- Kia
- Jaguar
- Hyundai
- Nissan
- Mercedes-Benz
- Mini
- Renault
- Porsche
- Seat
- Peugeot
- Vauxhall
- Skoda
- Volvo
After the initial scandal involving VW, Mercedes-Benz was thrust into the spotlight for the alleged use of defeat devices. Parent company Daimler denied the allegations but they’ve recalled millions of affected vehicles and spent billions on payoffs over the years.
Following Mercedes’ implication in the scandal, authorities zeroed in on BMW, another German carmaker. In December 2017, accusations that BMW fitted their diesel vehicles with defeat devices came from Environmental Action Germany (Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. or DUH).
According to the NGO, the carmaker used the devices to manipulate nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. As soon as the BMW vehicle’s engine passes the 2000-revolutions-per-minute mark, its exhaust cleaning mechanism is throttled. It completely switches off as soon as it goes over 3500 rpm. Any action, process, or technique that affects normal driving conditions is considered illegal, which is how DUH classified what BMW did.
BMW was once again in the spotlight after the carmaker was caught participating in a cartel with Daimler and Volkswagen. The three colluded on delaying and limiting efficient and cleaner technology designed to reduce emissions. BMW was fined a total of €372 million (approximately £320.16 million) while VW must pay €502 million (or £432.04 million). Daimler avoided getting fined as they reported the existence of the cartel.
Carmakers involved in the diesel emissions scandal still feel the repercussions of their actions long after Dieselgate first broke. Like its effect on car owners, the impacts of using devices that manipulate NOx emissions are life-changing.
Affected car owners are urged to bring their carmakers to court through an emissions claim.
Why bring a claim against your carmaker?
As mentioned earlier, diesel vehicles release voluminous amounts of nitrogen oxides. NOx is a heavy pollutant. With nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) as primary components, it is dangerous for the environment and your health.
NOx produces pollutants such as ground-level ozone, which is known to damage vegetation, specifically plants and crops. It also contributes to the formation of smog and acid rain.
Your mental health can be affected if you are regularly exposed to NOx emissions. Constant exposure can trigger more frequent episodes of anxiety and depression.
Additionally, exposure to NOx emissions will compromise your cognitive skills, making you susceptible to dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
What you need to watch out for if you’ve been exposed to nitrogen oxide emissions is your health. NOx has the following impacts on human health:
- Breathing difficulties
- Fluid build-up in the lungs
- Bronchitis and other respiratory issues
- Chronic reduction of lung function
- Asphyxiation
- Laryngospasm
- Certain cancers
- Cardiovascular diseases
NOx emissions exposure is also linked to hundreds of thousands of premature death cases worldwide every year.
Martin Lewis was right in encouraging affected car owners against their carmakers. Affected BMW drivers should hold their manufacturer responsible for all the potential lies and mis-selling.
Your diesel claim
Should I start my diesel claim now?
If your vehicle is equipped with a defeat device, you should bring a claim against your carmaker at the soonest possible time. However, you’ll have to verify if you are qualified to make a BMW emissions claim as there are criteria to follow.
You’ll get all the information you need to start your claim from Claimexperts.co.uk. Visit their website now so you can start preparing for your diesel claim.