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Since the Dieselgate scandal was uncovered in 2015, dozens of vehicle manufacturers have been implicated in the illegal scheme. Hundreds of thousands of car owners have been affected over the years, not only in the UK and the US but in other parts of the world as well. The diesel emissions scam, after all, is considered the biggest controversy to ever happen to the global automobile industry.
Initially, only the Volkswagen Group was involved in the Dieselgate scandal. Authorities in the US, specifically the California Air Resources Board and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sent a notice of violation to the carmaker. VW allegedly violated the Clean Air Act when they allegedly installed defeat devices in their Volkswagen and Audi diesel vehicles in the US. The devices manipulated emissions levels.
A defeat device detects when a vehicle is taken to the lab for regulatory testing. The device immediately and artificially lowers emissions levels to within the safe and legal limits regulated by the World Health Organization. As such, while in the lab, the vehicle is environmentally safe and complies with emissions laws.
Outside testing conditions and when driven on real-world driving conditions, however, the vehicle emits unlawful levels of nitrogen oxide. Nitrogen oxide damages the environment and devastates lives. Additionally, without the defeat device, the vehicle cannot pass regulatory emissions tests and its performance is affected.
After denying the allegations for some time, Volkswagen officials finally admitted that they knew about the defeat devices but went on to sell the vehicles as high-performing and environmentally safe products. VW lied to their customers.
Soon after VW’s involvement, Mercedes-Benz found itself in hot waters when US authorities also sent them a notice of violation for defeat device use. Other carmakers were soon added to the list of potential emissions scandal perpetrators, including another German manufacturer – BMW.
BMW emissions scandal
Initial suspicions about BMW’s use of defeat devices surfaced in 2018. This resulted in a recall of over 11,000 of the carmaker’s luxury models upon orders by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority or KBA. The recall was intended to correct engines that were fitted with the cheat device. Preliminary investigations were carried out, including a raid of the carmaker’s headquarters.
Included in the 2018 vehicle recall were the BMW M550 3.0 Diesel Euro 6 and the BMW 750 3.0 Diesel Euro 6 models.
BMW also faced a class-action lawsuit in the US after they were accused of working with Robert Bosch LCC and Robert Bosch GmbH in the creation of software used to manipulate emissions and hide unlawfully high air pollution levels when a vehicle is in regulatory testing.
The lawsuit indicated that BMW’s diesel-powered 4-door sedan and SUV’s NOx emissions were higher than the legal limits by at least 27 times. It particularly focused on models manufactured between the years 2009 and 2013, as well as the 330d BMW model sold between the years 2009 and 2011. The affected vehicles did not meet US standards and should not have been sold or driven on the streets. Had American consumers known about this, they wouldn’t have purchased the vehicles.
Like most manufacturers involved in the diesel emissions scandal, BMW denied the accusations. They said they mistakenly installed engines used in their X6 and X5 SUVs on their BMW 5 and 7 series vehicles beginning in 2012 up to the year 2017.
BMW was also involved in a cartel with Mercedes’ parent company, Daimler, and Volkswagen. The three German carmakers colluded in delaying and limiting new technology intended for reducing emissions. BMW and Volkswagen paid hefty fines while Daimler was not penalised as they reported the existence of the cartel.
What NOx does to the environment and your health
Diesel vehicles that emit high levels of nitrogen oxide endanger the environment and human lives. NOx is a group of gases that includes nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitric oxide (NO). It forms smog, acid rain, and a pollutant known as ground-level ozone, which can easily weaken and damage vegetation.
NOx has numerous negative impacts on your health:
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Exposure to NOx can trigger anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues
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Exposure to NOx emissions can cause your cognitive abilities to deteriorate, which can lead to dementia
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Exposure to NOx can cause fluid to build up in your lungs; you may experience shortness of breath as well
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Exposure to NOx emissions can lead to bronchitis, emphysema, and other respiratory conditions
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Asthma, weakening of the lungs, asphyxiation, and laryngospasm are also negative impacts of exposure to nitrogen oxide
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Cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and premature deaths are the most dangerous impacts of NOx emissions exposure
Authorities are determined to help car owners understand that these life-changing impacts are the responsibility of the carmakers that installed illegal defeat devices in their vehicles. You and all other affected car owners have the right to bring a diesel claim against these manufacturers. They should compensate you for all the environmental, financial, and health-related troubles they caused you.
Should I file my diesel claim now?
Before you can start your BMW emissions claim, you have to verify first if you are qualified to bring your carmaker to court. All you have to do is visit Emissions.co.uk and get all the relevant information you need about your claim. Once you’re verified, you can begin the claims process with an emissions expert.
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