The High Court in London has refused permission for claimants to appeal its July ruling in a significant diesel emissions case involving several major car manufacturers. The original judgment largely favored the automakers, including Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Nissan, Renault, Peugeot, and Citroën, over allegations that certain diesel vehicles were equipped with illegal “defeat devices.”

The litigation stems from the fallout of the Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal and involves claims brought by approximately 1.6 million affected vehicle owners. The trial, which began last year, examined whether 20 representative diesel vehicles from the manufacturers mentioned had devices that manipulated emissions tests to comply unlawfully with regulatory standards. The court ultimately rejected most of these allegations in its earlier decision.

Despite the refusal to grant permission to appeal at the High Court level, the legal representatives for the claimants have indicated their intention to seek permission directly from the Court of Appeal to continue pursuing the case. They aim to challenge the High Court’s findings, which they argue did not adequately address the claims of widespread emissions manipulation.

The automakers have maintained that their vehicles comply with emissions regulations and that no unlawful defeat devices were present. The High Court’s July ruling supported this position, effectively dismissing the majority of the claims against the car manufacturers in this group.

The ongoing legal process highlights the complexities of holding carmakers accountable for emissions-related issues beyond the initial scandal that engulfed Volkswagen. As the case moves forward, it remains to be seen whether the Court of Appeal will allow the claimants’ appeal to proceed and how the courts will continue to address the broader legal and regulatory questions surrounding diesel emissions compliance.