Dieselgate Scandal: UK Pollution Linked to Deaths and Asthma Cases

⁣ Updated May ⁢28, 2025

Excess pollution stemming‍ from the Dieselgate ‍scandal has resulted in ⁤approximately 16,000 deaths in the‌ United Kingdom and‍ triggered 30,000 cases ​of asthma ⁢in children, according to⁤ a​ recent analysis. Researchers⁤ project an additional 6,000 premature deaths if no action is ‍taken⁣ to⁤ address⁤ the issue‍ of dieselgate pollution.

The Dieselgate scandal,‌ which erupted in ​2015, exposed how​ highly polluting diesel vehicles emitted significantly ⁣more toxic pollution‌ on roads than during regulatory testing due⁤ to illegal “defeat devices.”

While the United States imposed considerable fines ⁢and mandated​ vehicle⁤ recalls to disable these devices,experts contend that the U.K. and most European Union ⁤nations have lagged, leading to severe ‍health consequences. Millions of ⁣ diesel vehicles ​continue to operate on ​U.K. and EU ‍roads.

The analysis focused solely on the excess pollution caused by the⁤ defeat devices, estimating that in‌ the U.K. alone, this resulted in 800,000 days of sick leave and a total economic ‌burden of £96 billion ⁤by ‌2024, encompassing both deaths and health issues.

Across ‍the U.K. and EU, Dieselgate has been linked to roughly 124,000 premature deaths and €760 billion (£637 billion) in ‌economic damages.‍ Without intervention,projections indicate another 81,000 ​premature deaths and‌ €430 billion in‌ damages by 2040,by which time most of the‌ affected vehicles will be out of service.

“Our calculations reveal ⁣the​ widespread and devastating health impacts‍ of excessive diesel emissions ⁤– thousands of ⁢lives cut short, countless children ‍developing asthma, and an ​immense burden of chronic illness,” said Dr. ⁢Jamie Kelly,Center ⁣for research ⁣on Energy and Clean Air.

Emily Kearsey, a ⁢lawyer with ClientEarth, stated⁣ that the U.K.government’s response has been disproportionate to the public health crisis. She added ⁣that auto manufacturers have‍ long ‌attempted to conceal ‍the Dieselgate⁣ scandal.

“The scale of the UK government’s response has been​ completely disproportionate‍ to the public health⁢ crisis‌ that we’re facing,” ⁣said emily Kearsey,⁤ ClientEarth ​lawyer.

Jemima hartshorn, of Mums for Lungs, emphasized the ongoing health costs, especially for children, due ​to the ⁢continued⁤ presence of ⁣millions of highly polluting diesel cars.

“Millions‌ of diesel cars on our roads are still emitting toxically high levels of⁣ pollution⁤ and it’s costing ‍our health, especially ‍the health​ of our children,” ‍said Jemima Hartshorn, Mums for Lungs.

While defeat devices have been illegal for some time, new U.K. legislation in 2020 mandated ‍government investigations into suspected vehicles. Subsequent powers granted in 2021 allowed for laws ⁣compelling manufacturers to recall vehicles ⁤for environmental ⁢reasons, though these powers remain unused.

in 2023, ClientEarth filed a legal complaint, citing evidence of ​numerous vehicles with defeat devices still in​ use. Consequently,the government ⁣announced in 2024 that it was investigating 47 car models across ⁤20 brands from 11 manufacturers.

In contrast to⁢ the U.S., ⁢where regulators fined Volkswagen £1.45 billion and mandated ⁢contributions to pollution mitigation funds, the‍ U.K.has not imposed fines or forced recalls. Kearsey noted the lack of ‍accountability in the⁢ U.K. and‌ EU.

Instead,​ U.K. consumers have been left to​ pursue compensation through ⁢the courts, leaving the polluting vehicles⁢ on the roads. ⁤Almost 2 million consumer ⁢claims are currently in the​ high court against ⁢18 auto-manufacturers.

In ​2022, Volkswagen agreed ⁢to pay £193 million ⁢to⁤ 91,000‌ drivers in England and Wales. ‌Some manufacturers have ‍initiated voluntary recalls, ⁢but public​ information is limited, and ‌only a small percentage of affected vehicles have likely been addressed.

The Crea report utilized car ⁤fleet ⁤data, real-world emissions ⁣data, ⁢and modeling to assess the impact of excess emissions. The models and relationships⁤ between nitrogen dioxide, small particle‌ pollution, ⁣and ‍health impacts were derived from published studies.

The analysis defined ​excess​ emissions ‍as those ⁢exceeding twice the ⁤legal ⁢limit, almost ‌certainly due to defeat devices, and ⁢focused on diesel vehicles⁢ approved from 2009‍ onward. ​Stricter real-world emissions testing was fully implemented ‌in the EU in 2021.

Suzanne Bartington, a professor at the University of Birmingham, affirmed ⁣the link between toxic emissions and early deaths and disease. She noted ⁤that a‌ more conservative approach might not ​combine ‌premature deaths from NO2 and small ⁢particles due ⁤to uncertainties about ⁣their​ individual contributions to⁣ mortality.

A Department for Transport spokesperson stated that ‌defeat ⁢devices are illegal and that‍ the ⁣department routinely‌ checks vehicles against emission standards and⁤ is investigating ⁤the matter.

What’s⁤ next

The U.K. government faces increasing pressure to take decisive action against manufacturers involved in the Dieselgate scandal and‌ to⁣ implement measures that⁤ will reduce⁢ air pollution and protect public health. Further investigations and potential ‍recalls are anticipated.