“We should prioritize public health”

It’s been almost a decade since Volkswagen’s infamous “Dieselgate” scandal broke, but it turns out the problem runs deeper than anyone imagined.

A new investigation in the United Kingdom found that 47 diesel models from 11 manufacturers may also be equipped with “defeat devices” – software designed to cheat emissions tests – the Times reported. If true, it could lead to massive recalls and lawsuits for automakers that misled the public about their environmental impact.

What is happening?

The UK Department for Transport has begun investigating a number of diesel cars manufactured between 2009 and 2019, following suspicions that they were fitted with devices allowing them to pass emissions tests while polluting significantly more in real conditions.

The investigation, which began after environmental group ClientEarth raised concerns, could uncover between 2 million and 6 million cars in the UK alone that are still on the roads with these devices. The first phase of the investigation involves 47 models, but experts believe the real number could be much higher.

If the DFT confirms these suspicions, manufacturers could face huge costs, ranging from recalls to compensation claims from affected customers. Volkswagen, which was the first company exposed in this problem, has already paid out £193 million in compensation to British drivers in 2022 ($245 million today), but other companies could soon face damages. similar consequences.

Why is it important to regulate car emissions?

It’s not just about misleading customers, it’s also about public health. The defeat devices allow diesel cars to emit harmful levels of nitrogen dioxide and other toxic gases, contributing to dangerous air pollution linked to respiratory illnesses, heart disease and premature deaths. In the UK, air pollution is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths every year.

“This is an invisible killer that shortens people’s lives and reduces their quality of life. Consumers and the public have been failed by previous governments,” said Emily Kearsey, attorney at ClientEarth.

The devices may have improved cars’ performance in tests, but they also prevented critical pollutants from being properly regulated, a major setback for efforts to clean up air quality. As governments push for cleaner, greener alternatives, the continued use of these devices undermines these efforts. It is also a wake-up call for tighter regulation and greater accountability in the auto industry.

What are we doing about this?

The DFT is continuing its investigation and, if necessary, will ask automakers to repair their vehicles, the Times reported. However, the UK government does not currently have the legal power to force manufacturers to carry out these recalls, although new laws introduced as part of the Environment Act 2021 could change this. Environmental groups are urging the government to act quickly and not let automakers limit the scope of the investigation to protect their profits.

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“This is a very clear example of where we should prioritize public health and be tough on the auto industry. It’s horrible that we’re still talking about this a decade after these abuses began to be reported. identified,” said Rory Stewart. , a former Conservative minister who has written about the government’s reluctance to use Dieselgate sanctions for cleaner air.

If you drive a diesel car from the affected years, it may be worth keeping an eye on this investigation, especially as recalls and compensation could be on the horizon. And if you’re in the market for a car, now is a great time to look at more eco-friendly options.

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