Some of the world’s major car manufacturers are facing accusations of prioritizing sales over environmental concerns in the ongoing “dieselgate” controversy. Allegations in the High Court suggest that these companies installed mechanisms in vehicles to detect emissions testing, adjusting emissions levels to meet regulations during tests but emitting higher levels of pollutants during regular use.
This trial, anticipated to span three months, marks the largest legal action of its kind in English history with an estimated value of £6 billion. Lawyers representing 1.6 million claimants claim that manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Nissan, Renault, Peugeot, and Citroen utilized unlawful “defeat devices” to deceive diesel emissions tests, echoing the Volkswagen scandal from a decade ago.
The companies deny the allegations, asserting that the claims are baseless and distancing themselves from the 2015 scandal. The trial will specifically examine a subset of diesel vehicles from the five manufacturers, and the court’s ruling will impact numerous similar claims against other automakers.
The trial’s commencement saw emotional testimonies, including that of Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, who lost her daughter to an asthma attack linked to pollution. She expressed hope for accountability, emphasizing the ongoing impact of diesel emissions on children’s health.
Adam Kamenetzky, a Mercedes SUV owner, voiced disappointment in the misleading emissions data provided by manufacturers, highlighting the discrepancy between advertised environmental performance and actual emissions output.
During the trial’s opening, legal representatives argued that industry players knowingly prioritized sales over environmental responsibility, choosing to cheat emissions regulations for commercial gain. The case focuses on nitrogen oxides emissions and their detrimental health effects, with studies linking excess emissions to thousands of premature deaths and asthma cases in the UK and Europe.
While the trial is expected to conclude in December, legal proceedings will extend into March 2026. Claimants’ representatives emphasized the severity of the allegations, referring to them as a significant breach of corporate trust.
London’s High Court, having previously ruled against Volkswagen, is now tasked with adjudicating similar allegations against other manufacturers. Volkswagen settled prior claims without admitting liability, underscoring the legal complexity and implications of the ongoing diesel emissions scandal.