Volkswagen to compensate 100,000 vehicle owners

Volkswagen has reached a settlement with three foundations in the Netherlands regarding the diesel emissions scandal that broke in 2015. Under the agreement, not only Volkswagen but also owners of diesel vehicles from Audi, Seat, and Škoda, which were launched around the same time, will be eligible for compensation.

In a joint statement made by the Car Claim, Diesel Emissions Justice and Volkswagen Group Diesel Efficiency foundations, it was announced that payments ranging from 300 to 2,500 euros per vehicle will be made for vehicles with EA189 engines produced between 2008 and 2015.

CHEAT SOFTWARE SCANDAL

According to a report on Sonhaber.Eu, the scandal erupted in 2015 when it was revealed that Volkswagen used software to manipulate emissions tests on some of its diesel vehicles. This software allowed the vehicles to understate nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) emissions in laboratory tests, creating the impression that they were less harmful to the environment.

Dutch courts ruled that this software misled consumers. Following the scandal, the resale value of the vehicles in question plummeted, and software updates, despite ensuring compliance with environmental standards, increased fuel consumption.