The high court has rejected most of the allegations in a 'dieselgate' claim brought on behalf of 1.6 million UK owners of polluting cars, ruling that in most cases the software used did not amount to a prohibited defeat device.
Key facts
- The claim was brought on behalf of 1.6 million UK car owners.
- Manufacturers named in the suit included Nissan, Ford and Peugeot.
- Lady Justice Cockerill found that in the majority of instances the strategy did not constitute a prohibited defeat device.
- Carmakers welcomed the ruling.
- The case centred on software alleged to make engines behave differently during emissions tests.
Car manufacturers have welcomed a high court verdict that rejected most of the allegations in a ‘dieselgate’ claim brought on behalf of 1.6 million UK owners of polluting cars, according to the Guardian.
In her judgment, Lady Justice Cockerill said that ‘in the majority of instances, the court found that the relevant strategy did not constitute a prohibited defeat device.’ A defeat device is software that enables an engine to behave differently during emissions tests than it does on the road.
The claim alleged that manufacturers, including Nissan, Ford and Peugeot, fitted such devices to their vehicles to defeat emissions tests. The Guardian reports that carmakers welcomed the ruling against the suit.
The scale of the action was significant, being brought on behalf of 1.6 million UK car owners. The judge’s finding that most of the relevant strategies did not amount to prohibited defeat devices represents a setback for the claimants.
The term ‘dieselgate’ refers to the wider scandal over diesel vehicle emissions, in which questions have been raised about whether cars produced higher levels of pollution on the road than in laboratory testing conditions.
Why it matters
The ruling affects 1.6 million UK car owners who joined the mass legal action, potentially limiting the compensation they can claim. It also has significant implications for major manufacturers facing scrutiny over diesel emissions and the software used in their vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
How many car owners were involved in the claim?
The claim was brought on behalf of 1.6 million UK owners of polluting cars, according to the Guardian.
What is a defeat device?
According to the ruling reported by the Guardian, a defeat device is software that enables an engine to behave differently during emissions tests than it otherwise would.
Which manufacturers were named in the claim?
The suit named manufacturers including Nissan, Ford and Peugeot, alleging they fitted devices to defeat emissions tests.