In a Landmark Ruling, German Court Declares VW's Dieselgate Fix Illegal

In a Landmark Ruling, German Court Declares VW's Dieselgate Fix Illegal

Five years after Dieselgate rocked the automotive world, Volkswagen faces fresh legal trouble. A German court, siding with environmental group DUH, ruled that the software updates meant to fix emissions cheating in 62 models were themselves illegal. This blow to the auto giant raises concerns about the KBA's oversight of VW, Seat, and Audi engines.

After years of relentless advocacy, DUH has secured a pivotal victory in its fight against Volkswagen's Dieselgate scandal. The German court's ruling, siding with DUH, not only declares the software fix illegal but also casts a shadow on the role of KBA, the federal motor transport authority in Germany, in approving it. This win marks a significant step towards environmental justice and reinforces the power of citizen action.

Volkswagen, alongside the KBA, announced plans to appeal the court's decision. They reiterated there's no risk of affected vehicles being withdrawn from roads or requiring hardware modifications.

Volkswagen plunged into crisis in 2015 following revelations it had installed illegal “defeat devices” in millions of diesel vehicles to make them seem less polluting in the lab than they were on the road.

Erupting in cheers, DUH celebrated the court's decision as a major blow to clean air in Germany. They demanded the decommissioning or complete overhaul of millions of polluting VW, Seat, and Audi diesel cars, calling for the manufacturers to shoulder the burden.

DuH's latest win echoes their previous success on the same court in 2023. Both rulings dealt blows to VW and the KBA, who continue to contest them through the appeals process.

DUH's crusade for clean air extends beyond Volkswagen. They have filed lawsuits against Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Fiat too, accusing them of manipulating emissions and polluting the environment.