EU issues fines for emissions scandal

Allegations of diesel emissions fraud have long been investigated in Europe following the revelation that Volkswagen had been manipulating emissions controls in its vehicles, cheating regulations. As the EU issues fines for emissions scandal culprits such as VW and BMW, questions have been raised about the impact on the wider car manufacturing industry and who else may also be involved in similar behaviour.

VW and BMW have been singled out in a recent antitrust investigation by the European Commission over claims that they had colluded with Daimler, the owner of the Mercedes-Benz brand. According to The Guardian, this was in relation to delaying the development of “emissions-cleaning technology” in their vehicles. Now, upon the conclusion of the investigation, the two companies have reportedly been hit with a total fine of €875m.

The findings of the investigation suggest that the three companies acted unlawfully. Many other well-known car brands have similarly been levelled with accusations of emissions fraud in the wake of the Volkswagen emissions scandal, so the conclusion of this EU investigation could be a sign of further penalties to come.

EU issues fines for emissions scandal – targeting VW and BMW

In 2018, the European Commission announced the opening of an in-depth investigation into potential collusion between Daimler, VW and BMW. Now, the investigation has reportedly found that the three companies did indeed collude work for a 5-year period in order to slow the development of so-called Adblue technology. This technology adds urea to exhaust gases as a means of removing nitrogen oxides. Despite the fact this can allow for the dramatic reduction in harmful emissions, the carmakers were reportedly unwilling to compromise on engine performance by using this technology.

Daimler, VW and BMW then allegedly agreed not to compete on the development of the technology, which could potentially have given the company with the quickest progression a commercial advantage. However, as far as the investigation found, the anti-competitive collusion did not involve a conspiracy to use defeat devices to cheat emissions tests.

EU fines and emissions investigations

The conclusion of the European Commission’s investigation and the fines imposed are an indication that regulators and investigators will not go easy on carmakers when it comes to emissions issues. If the EU issues fines for emissions scandal offences by other carmakers, the penalties could also reach the millions of Euros.

While the EU’s collusion investigation concerned delays to Adblue development, the wider emissions investigations are largely scrutinising carmakers over the alleged use of defeat devices as a means of cheating regulatory tests. In future, whether the EU issues fines for emissions scandal carmakers or not, we hope to ensure that customers affected by allegations of deceit by carmakers can claim compensation.

Claim with Your Lawyers – The Car Emissions Lawyers

At Your Lawyers, we have long been involved in emissions litigation in the UK, being one of the first firms to take on consumer claims for victims of the Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal soon after the controversy emerged in the media. We later went on to initiate High Court proceedings against Volkswagen, and subsequently sat on the Steering Committee responsible for the overall conduct of the GLO.

As the EU issues fines for emissions scandal suspects, such as the likes of Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW, we are closing in on other carmakers, investigating Porsche, Nissan & Renault, Fiat, and Jaguar Land Rover; and more over alleged emissions deceit. To find out if you could be eligible for a No Win, No Fee compensation claim, you can use our online form to check your details, or you can contact our team directly for free, no-obligation advice.