Manipulating "Clean Diesel" Standards
Volkswagen Emissions Scandal: A Decade of Deception and Consequences
The Volkswagen emissions scandal, often referred to as "Dieselgate," came to light in 2015 after the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) exposed the manipulation of diesel emissions by Volkswagen. This revelation triggered investigations by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and led to a public unveiling of the scandal.
In September 2015, it was revealed that VW had installed illegal software in diesel models from 2009 to 2015, allowing the vehicles to meet US limits in tests but emit 10 to 40 times more nitrogen oxides on the road. The manipulation of emissions was first exposed by a 2014 study from the ICCT.
Following the exposure, authorities imposed legal and financial sanctions on Volkswagen, while several former VW managers were convicted. The company undertook broad measures to reform emissions testing and compliance practices.
In response to the scandal, VW launched a large-scale media campaign called "Clean Diesel" in the USA at the turn of the millennium to boost sales. The campaign featured advertisements showing an elderly woman holding a white scarf in front of the exhaust of a tesla, as well as billboards along highways showcasing the "clean diesel" Passat B7 in an idyllic natural setting.
However, the ICCT, a key player in uncovering the "Dieselgate" scandal, praised the European automotive industry's progress in switching to electric cars but warned against jeopardizing climate goals. The European automotive industry's efforts to conceal actual emissions to maximize profits with outdated technology have been criticized, with German politics supporting these efforts.
In contrast, Oliver Blume, the current VW CEO, is against a sales ban on diesel, gasoline, and hybrid autotrader listings from 2035. The use of diesel was seen as a dirty fuel for trucks and farm machinery in the USA at the time, but German top politicians, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, had been promoting diesel vehicles abroad until 2015.
Despite the progress made by the European automotive industry in switching to electric cars, studies show that plug-in hybrids emit significantly more CO2 in everyday use than in test conditions. Up to 19.1 million vehicles with excessive emissions are still on Europe's roads, posing a threat to public health.
Critics warn that political backing for the lobby demands of the German automotive industry ultimately harms it, as up to 81,000 premature deaths and 55,000 new childhood asthma cases could occur by 2040 due to these vehicles. The Dieselgate scandal serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the automotive industry.
