In recent years, the automotive industry has faced several scandals, one of the most notable being the infamous Dieselgate. This scandal rocked the industry to its core, with billion-dollar fines and thousands of diesel emission claims filed against Volkswagen, revealing that many diesel vehicles on European roads had emissions-cheating devices fitted to them. The impact of these devices is significant, as they would allow diesel cars to release harmful pollutants into the air at levels far higher than what is legally permitted.

Despite this scandal, a recent report by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has discovered that 75% of diesel vehicles registered in Europe since 2015 still exceed emissions limits in real-world conditions. The report suggests that the cheating devices have not been eliminated, and many vehicles on the road still produce dangerous levels of pollutants.

The Current State of Diesel Emissions in Europe

ICCT’s report investigates the level of emissions for a range of diesel vehicles in the EU over the past five years. To conduct their study, they compared laboratory test results with real-world emissions from approximately 1,400 government tests. Despite stricter regulations introduced in the aftermath of Dieselgate and numerous manufacturer recalls and fixes, the study reveals significant and widespread non-compliance. 

Most tests showed suspicious excess emissions, with 40% even reaching extreme levels. This indicates the presence of illegal defeat devices, which manipulate emissions levels. Data from real-world measurements further supports these findings, with 75% of diesel car engine families exceeding the extreme emission threshold. 

The investigation uncovered over 60 car models that use forbidden defeat devices, which modify or disable emissions control systems, mainly in cold weather conditions. The nonprofit group also identified the Euro 5 versions of popular models from 2009/19 from Ford, Nissan, and Renault as the worst offenders for excessive emissions in the EU27.

Shockingly, approximately 19 million cars with suspicious emissions are still used today, posing a significant risk to human health. This includes 13 million cars with extreme emissions. These excess emissions are a widespread issue across manufacturers, resulting in the annual death of over 30,000 people in Europe.

Sheila Watson, Deputy Director of the FIA Foundation, expressed the significance of this study and its alarming findings. It reveals that excessive emissions are not limited to a few manufacturers but rather a widespread practice within the industry. The deliberate deception involved in this practice is responsible for a lot of lives lost each year. This study highlights the importance of conducting real-world emissions testing to gather dependable and unbiased data that can be used to shape effective legislation.

Implications for the Automotive Industry

The report’s findings highlight the need for the automotive industry to take additional steps to address the issue of non-compliant diesel vehicles. Manufacturers must change their practices to ensure all cars comply strictly with emissions regulations. Carmakers have a moral and legal obligation to protect public health and the environment by designing and manufacturing vehicles that meet emissions standards in real-world driving conditions.

Furthermore, the report suggests that most EU countries need to do more to monitor whether real-world emissions match the limits determined in laboratory tests. Governments must take responsibility for ensuring that regulations are being followed. The lack of political will to address this issue is a cause for concern, as diesel vehicles are still prevalent on European roads. Without stronger regulations and enforcement measures, the case of non-compliance is likely to persist.

What Can Consumers Do?

Vehicle owners in Europe concerned about emissions from their vehicles can reduce the impact by choosing to drive less, using alternative modes of transport like public transport or carpooling, and driving more fuel-efficient vehicles. Consumers can proactively check their cars for potential emissions issues and ensure they comply with emissions standards.

Consumers can also consider taking legal action to hold car manufacturers accountable for cheating on emissions tests. Filing a diesel claim can help consumers recover the financial losses they have incurred due to owning a vehicle that is more polluting than advertised. To file one, they can work with a diesel compensation claims expert. Emissions.co.uk can provide expert advice and support throughout the claims process.

In addition to seeking financial compensation, diesel emissions claims can have broader implications for the automotive industry. Successful lawsuits can encourage manufacturers to improve their environmental performance and prevent the use of cheating devices in the future.

The discovery of widespread emissions cheating in the European automotive industry has brought the issue of vehicle emissions to the forefront of public attention. Using cheating devices by manufacturers means that consumers are driving cars that emit more pollutants than advertised – contributing to air and water pollution, climate change, and public health risks. It is time for various stakeholders, including governments, car manufacturers, and individuals, to take responsibility for cleaner air, reducing emission levels, and protecting the environment and public health.