Some major automotive manufacturers are facing accusations of prioritizing sales over environmental concerns in the ongoing “dieselgate” controversy. Allegations suggest that these companies installed devices in vehicles to manipulate emissions during testing, keeping them within legal limits, but allowing higher pollution levels during regular use.
The High Court heard these claims at the beginning of a trial, anticipated to span three months, marking the largest legal action of its kind in English history. The case involves around £6 billion in claims and represents 1.6 million individuals accusing the companies of deceiving diesel emissions tests, a decade after Volkswagen faced similar accusations.
Owners of diesel vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Nissan, Renault, and Peugeot and Citroen under Stellantis claim that the manufacturers employed illegal “defeat devices.” However, the manufacturers deny these allegations, asserting that the claims lack merit and differ from the 2015 scandal. The trial will concentrate on a sample of diesel vehicles from these manufacturers, with the court’s decision affecting numerous similar claims against other automakers.
A mother, Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, whose daughter died from an asthma attack linked to pollution, expressed hope for accountability. Campaigners gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London before the trial, highlighting the impact of diesel emissions on children’s health. Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah’s death marked the first instance in the UK where air pollution was listed as a cause of death in a coroner’s case.
During the trial’s commencement, a consumer, Adam Kamenetzky, shared his disappointment after purchasing a Mercedes SUV under the belief that it was environmentally friendly. He criticized the misleading emissions information provided by the manufacturer, alleging deception.
In his opening statements, Thomas De La Mare KC, representing the claimants, accused the industry of prioritizing sales convenience over environmental regulations, leading to cheating on emissions. He emphasized the industry’s conscious decision to prioritize customer convenience at the expense of pollution control.
The trial primarily focuses on nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions and their impact on public health. A report cited in the trial linked excess NOx emissions to premature deaths and asthma cases in children. However, the manufacturers’ legal representatives disputed the accusations, asserting the absence of defeat devices in the vehicles under scrutiny.
The main trial, overseen by Lady Justice Cockerill, is set to conclude in December, with legal arguments scheduled for March 2026. If proven, the allegations could represent a significant breach of corporate trust.
This legal battle at the High Court echoes previous cases involving defeat devices, notably the ruling against VW in 2020. VW settled without admitting liability in 2022, following similar accusations.
