Key facts
- Transport for London is pursuing a potential £1bn legal action against car manufacturers.
- Allegations include fraud, negligence, and false representations regarding vehicle emissions compliance.
- Manufacturers named include Stellantis, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, and Nissan.
- TfL claims vehicles falsely represented as Ulez-compliant entered the zone without charge, causing revenue loss.
- The lawsuit is stayed pending the outcome of parallel 'dieselgate' litigation.
- A recent ruling in the 'dieselgate' case favored car manufacturers, with an appeal under consideration.
Transport for London (TfL) is pursuing a potential £1bn legal action against car manufacturers, alleging that certain diesel vehicles were falsely represented as compliant with the capital's Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) standards. The lawsuit, which includes allegations of fraud and negligence, targets manufacturers such as Stellantis, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, and Nissan.
TfL's lawyers argue that vehicles which should have incurred the £12.50 daily Ulez charge entered the zone without payment, resulting in lost revenue and undermining efforts to improve air quality. The legal action, initiated in 2024, has been stayed pending the outcome of parallel 'dieselgate' litigation, which investigated claims that manufacturers deliberately designed cars to mask nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution levels.
In a recent high court ruling, most allegations in the 'dieselgate' case were rejected, favoring the car manufacturers. However, lawyers involved are considering an appeal, a decision that could impact TfL's own lawsuit. During a procedural hearing, TfL's barrister, Laurence Page, stated that manufacturers "expressly or impliedly represented" that certain diesel vehicles were compliant, and these representations were "false, made dishonestly or recklessly, alternatively negligently, and caused TfL loss."
Lawyers for the carmakers have stated that TfL's allegations are serious and lack proper detail. TfL was a signatory to the 'dieselgate' case, which was brought by law firms including Leigh Day on behalf of 1.6 million drivers. TfL has been granted a stay until October for its claims, with a spokesperson noting that the Ulez is a key mechanism for improving air quality in London.