Diesel vehicles manipulated to cheat emissions regulations may have led to 16,000 deaths in France, study claims
Independent research from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), based in Finland, warns of an escalating crisis in France due to diesel vehicles implicated in the Dieselgate scandal. The study predicts that if these affected vehicles remain on the road, an additional 8,000 preventable deaths could occur in France by 2040, which would accumulate to €146 billion in healthcare, lost productivity, and early deaths.
Across Europe, including Britain, the research projects that the excess pollution caused by these vehicles could eventually lead to 205,000 premature deaths, with overall economic losses amounting to €1.2 trillion. The study links the emissions from these vehicles to a rise in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. In France alone, the tampered engines are expected to cause 26,000 new cases of childhood asthma by 2040.
The Dieselgate scandal initially erupted in the United States in 2015 when carmakers admitted to fitting diesel vehicles with software that disguised their real emissions during official tests. In actual driving conditions, these vehicles emitted far higher levels of nitrogen dioxide. The affected cars were widely sold in Europe, including France, with more than 200 models sold between September 2009 and August 2019 being included. The International Council on Clean Transportation estimates that approximately 19 million of these vehicles are still on the road in Europe.
Anne Lassman-Trappier, who specializes in air quality for France Nature Environnement, stated that these deaths are preventable. She urged the French government to force car manufacturers to bring these vehicles up to emissions standards, as was done in the United States following the scandal's exposure. According to France Nature Environnement, the government's inaction following the Dieselgate scandal continues to cause daily suffering, leading to deaths and significant economic losses. They emphasize that immediate action could save thousands of lives and billions of euros.
The recent study highlights the ongoing consequences of the Dieselgate scandal for both automakers and affected drivers in France. Investigations for handling this issue have faced criticism for being slow and insufficient, with NGOs threatening legal action if governments do not increase their efforts. Additionally, while some criminal sanctions have been applied to Volkswagen executives in other countries, similar prosecutions in France have not been as prominent, though regulatory probes continue. The study underlines the significant public health impact of these rigged diesel cars, with an estimated 16,000 deaths in France since 2009 due to excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Efforts to recall affected vehicles, offer compensation to consumers, and strengthen emissions regulations continue, with advocacy groups urging increased transparency and accountability for manufacturers.
- The escalating crisis in France due to diesel vehicles implicated in the Dieselgate scandal could potentially cost €146 billion in healthcare, lost productivity, and early deaths by 2040, according to the study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
- Across Europe, the research indicates that excess pollution from these vehicles could result in 205,000 premature deaths, causing overall economic losses of €1.2 trillion.
- The study reveals a connection between emissions from these vehicles and a surge in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes.
- In the United States, where the Dieselgate scandal first erupted in 2015, carmakers admitted to fitting diesel vehicles with software that manipulated emissions during official tests, leading to higher levels of nitrogen dioxide in actual driving conditions.
- The renewable energy industry, environmental science, and finance sectors could benefit from stricter emissions regulations and a shift towards cleaner technologies to mitigate the impact of climate-change.
- To prevent thousands of deaths and save billions of euros, environmental advocacy groups are urging the French government, as well as car manufacturers, to take immediate action, increase transparency, and enforce stricter emissions standards.
