The excess pollution emitted as a result of the Dieselgate scandal has killed about 16,000 people in the UK and caused 30,000 cases of asthma in children, according to a new analysis.
New research from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea), in partnership with environmental law group ClientEarth, found that a further 6,000 premature deaths will occur in the coming years without action.
The Dieselgate scandal erupted in 2015 when diesel cars were found to be emitting far more toxic air pollution on the roads than when they passed regulatory tests, due to the use of illegal "defeat devices".
The analysis estimated the impact of only the excess pollution released due to the defeat devices, not the total emissions from the cars.
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The Dieselgate scandal may have caused thousands of extra deaths, according to new research
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In the UK, these excess emissions had led to 800,000 days of sick leave and a total economic burden due to deaths and poor health of £96billion by 2024.
Across the UK and EU combined, the fallout from Dieselgate has included about 124,000 early deaths and economic damage of €760billion (£637billion), the study estimated.
Without action, a further 81,000 premature deaths and €430billion (£361billion) are projected by 2040, by which time most Dieselgate vehicles will no longer be in use.
Dr Jamie Kelly, from Crea, said: "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. This is a crisis with a long and lingering legacy.
"Without action, these impacts will stretch far into the future, affecting generations to come. Governments have a responsibility to break this cycle."
Large fines and compulsory recalls of vehicles to remove or disable the defeat devices took place in the US. But experts say the UK and most EU countries have lagged far behind, leading to devastating impacts on health, and urge immediate action.
In the US, regulators fined Volkswagen £1.45billion and imposed a further $5billion (£3.7billion) fund for pollution mitigation, although it was not fined in the UK.
"In the UK, and the EU on the whole, there's just not been anywhere near the same level of accountability," said ClientEarth lawyer Emily Kearsey.
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Volkswagen was fined billions of pounds for its involvement in the Dieselgate scandal
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She added: "The scale of the UK Government's response has been completely disproportionate to the public health crisis that we're facing. Auto manufacturers have been trying to sweep the Dieselgate scandal under the carpet for too long."
Instead, individual consumers have been left to fight for financial compensation from manufacturers through the UK courts, leaving the excessively polluting vehicles on our roads.
Almost two million consumer claims are now being pursued in the high court against 18 auto manufacturers alleged to have used prohibited defeat devices. In 2022, Volkswagen agreed to pay £193million to 91,000 drivers in England and Wales.
Defeat devices have been illegal since before the Dieselgate scandal, but in 2020 new UK law placed a duty on the Government to investigate vehicles suspected of using defeat devices, with new powers in 2021 allowing it to force manufacturers to recall vehicles on environmental grounds.
Drivers can see if their vehicles need to be recalled on their MOT certificates THE CAR EXPERTThese powers have yet to be used, although it is believed a consultation is planned. In 2023, ClientEarth sent a legal complaint to the Government based on the strong evidence that many vehicles using defeat devices remained on the road.
After this, the government said in 2024 that it was investigating 47 different car models under 20 brands by 11 manufacturers, and that more would follow.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport told the Guardian: "Defeat devices are illegal, misleading for drivers and can have negative health impacts on the public.
"We routinely and robustly check vehicles against emission standards and acted quickly to set up an investigation on this matter. We will work with industry to resolve any issues identified."
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