Before the Dieselgate diesel emissions scandal, diesel-powered vehicles were always the top choice of most drivers. They were considered safer and cleaner than petrol-powered cars. Vehicle sales reports always saw diesel in the number one spot. Then the Dieselgate scandal happened, and things changed.
Today, authorities issue warnings against using diesel. More and more car owners are realising that diesel-powered vehicles are not as safe as they were once described to be. A May 2022 What Car? The study is proof that demand for diesel cars has slowly faded over the years.
Conducted among close to 1,000 drivers who were about to purchase new vehicles, the study showed that only a small 5% are thinking of purchasing a new diesel-powered vehicle. This is a significant decrease, especially when compared to diesel sales in pre-Dieselgate times. Records show that diesel cars used to own almost one-half of the total sales. That’s all in the past now as electric vehicles (EVs) are slowly gaining popularity.
Aside from the negative impact resulting from the Dieselgate scandal, the decline in diesel vehicle sales can also be attributed to carmakers’ response to the increasing demand for EVs as many of them have started to phase out diesel models from their lineup. This seems to be right in line with the UK government’s 2030 target for the ban on new diesel car sales.
The numbers
What Car? conducted the study as a part of their industry research, which is done weekly. They talked to 910 consumers who were actively considering placing an order for a vehicle. Researchers asked the buyers what they thought of diesel vehicles and if they were thinking of buying one. Only one in 20 said they were exploring their options for factory-ordered diesel vehicles while 90% of the respondents prefer other car types other than diesel-powered ones. Of the 910 consumers, 66% said they had no plans of purchasing any diesel vehicle again.
Around 39% cited the Dieselgate scandal as a significant factor in their decision to avoid diesels. Twenty-one per cent do not plan to buy diesel because they were not ideal for their needs, while 34% consider diesel vehicles non-environmentally friendly.
Authorities and insiders believe that the findings are consumers’ response to the UK’s programs for reducing air pollution, specifically the ULEZ (Ultra-Low Emission Zone) in London and the Clean Air Zones (CAZs) throughout the UK.
What was the diesel emissions scandal about?
The diesel emissions scandal broke in 2015 after US authorities accused the Volkswagen Group of using defeat devices in their VW and Audi diesel vehicles. Sold in the American market, the vehicles used the devices to manipulate emissions during regulatory testing. Authorities ordered VW to recall all the affected cars. The German carmaker also had to spend millions on fines and compensation.
Defeat devices can sense when a vehicle is already in the lab about to be tested. Once testing starts, the devices reduce emissions levels to keep within the World Health Organization’s legal limits. The vehicle is cleared for selling as it is emissions-compliant.
However, the reduced emissions are good only while the vehicle is being evaluated. Once it is out of the lab and on real-life roads, the vehicle emits excessive levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. This is concerning as NOx is a group of gases with life-threatening health impacts. Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, and cancer are some of the negative impacts of exposure to NOx emissions.
Aside from the Volkswagen Group, many other carmakers have been embroiled in the Dieselgate scandal.
The Renault diesel emissions scandal started in 2016 after suspicions of violating emissions regulations. Regulators allegedly found NOx at dangerous levels in several of the carmaker’s diesel vehicles. Allegedly, around 700,000 vehicles are affected.
Other carmakers accused of using defeat devices include Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, BMW, and Vauxhall. A host of other manufacturers are on the list of affected brands. At least one or two are added every year.
NOx emissions
NOx emissions contain nitric oxide or NO and nitrogen dioxide or NO2, which are responsible for the formation of air pollution contributors acid rain, smog, and a pollutant called ground-level ozone. NOx emissions are dangerous and life-threatening.
If you are exposed to NOx, you’ll be hounded by various health conditions for the remainder of your life:
- Dementia
- Anxiety and depression
- COPD
- Asthma
- Pulmonary oedema
- Cancer
- Asphyxiation
- Cardiovascular illnesses
- Laryngospasm
- Premature death
Exposure to toxic air has become the primary cause of thousands upon thousands of early deaths around the world every year. It has become just as dangerous as cigarette smoking, HIV and AIDS, and drug and alcohol abuse.
Carmakers that lied to their customers by hiding real emissions are responsible for exposing affected drivers (and the public) to these dangerous health impacts. As such, authorities encourage car owners to bring them to court through a diesel claim.
What’s my diesel claim?
A diesel emissions claim is your legal right to collect compensation from your manufacturer for exposing you to the dangers of defeat devices. Work with an emissions expert to increase your chances of winning the claim.
However, you have to verify your eligibility first by visiting Emissions.co.uk. All the details you need about your claim are there. After verification, you can start your emission claim right away. Visit their website here – https://www.emissions.co.uk/manufacturers/renault/