The Dieselgate diesel emissions scandal took everyone in the global automotive industry by surprise. Over the years, car manufacturers have had to deal with fines, compensation claims, various class-action lawsuits or group litigations, and vehicle recalls.
Car owners have had to suffer the consequences of having defeat devices in their diesel vehicles. The cheat software affected their vehicle’s performance and efficiency. They’ve also had to deal with the financial burden of paying a premium price on a vehicle that is actually a heavy pollutant.
Aside from this, affected car owners have also been encouraged to file an emissions compensation claim against their manufacturer.
Additionally, governments have been focusing their attention on efforts to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. Some governments have also imposed stricter air pollution measures on manufacturers (aside from the mandatory vehicle recalls).
Zero emissions
As the UK government has made clear its intention of achieving zero emissions by 2050, Mercedes-Benz and its parent company Daimler have also set their sights on cutting emissions. Their ideal timeline is to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% compared to 2020 levels by 2030. The German carmaker also plans to switch to all-electric by the end of the decade.
To achieve their goal, Mercedes has to do the following:
- Convert their fleet to electric
- Use green energy to charge
- Use renewable energy and recycled materials during production
- Work on battery technology improvement
In terms of energy needs, the carmaker intends to use solar and wind power via Power Purchase Agreements and at their site. This will help them reach their renewable energy goals. Mercedes started neutrally producing CO2 in their plants a couple of years ago.
Mercedes-Benz Group AG Chairman of the Board Ola Källenius stressed that they need to collaborate more with governments, companies and businesses, and society, if they want to achieve their goal of reaching 50% reduced emissions by 2030. The carmaker currently has around six all-electric vehicle models.
What was the Dieselgate scandal about?
In September 2015, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Resources Board called on Volkswagen and its executives in relation to allegations that the carmaker used defeat devices in their diesel vehicles sold to American consumers. VW initially denied the allegations but later on admitted that they knowingly installed the cheat software.
A defeat device is intended to detect when a vehicle is in the lab for regulatory emissions testing. Once it does, emissions levels are automatically and artificially reduced to within the limits set by the World Health Organization.
When the vehicle is taken out of the lab and driven in real-world driving conditions, however, it reverts to its default settings allowing emissions levels to increase in voluminous amounts that are in excess of EU and WHO standards.
Thus, carmakers that sold defeat device-fitted vehicles cheated and deceived their customers. Car owners paid a premium for vehicles that are heavy pollutants.
Aside from Volkswagen, other carmakers that continue to be implicated in the diesel emissions scandal include Mercedes-Benz, Renault, BMW, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Skoda, and Peugeot, among others. Although it started in the US, the Dieselgate emissions scam has already spread throughout Europe, the UK, and other parts of the world.
Nitrogen oxide emissions
Mercedes’ focus is to reduce CO2 emissions but road transport emissions, particularly from diesel vehicles, are released in the form of NOx or nitrogen oxide. NOx is dangerous to both the environment and human health.
Nitrogen oxide is a gas that has nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) as its major components. When these two gases interact to form NOx, they become more dangerous than they already are (specifically NO2). For starters, it contributes to the formation of acid rain, ground-level ozone, and smog.
Exposure to NOx is also said to trigger mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. It affects vegetation as well, increasing plants and crops’ susceptibility to frost damage.
Regular exposure to low levels of NOx can lead to nausea and vomiting, difficulty in breathing, asthma and aggravated asthma (for those who already have the condition), headaches, corroded teeth, and other respiratory diseases.
If the level of exposure and the volume of NOx is high, the individual can suffer from asphyxiation, laryngospasm, chronically reduced lung function, increased susceptibility to certain cancers, and increased risk for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and premature death.
Claim your compensation from Mercedes
Affected car owners deserve to be compensated for the deceit that their carmakers subjected them to. So, you should find a panel of emissions solicitors and bring a Mercedes emissions claim. Get in touch with the panel at ClaimExperts.co.uk if you want better chances of winning your claim. They are professionally-trained, have extensive experience, are regulated, and are dedicated to car owners like you. Visit their website and schedule your first meeting with the ClaimExperts.co.uk panel of solicitors to start your emissions claim case.