Volkswagen To Pay €1 billion Over Diesel Emissions Cheating

German authorities have fined the world’s largest carmaker, Volkswagen, €1 billion over the Dieselgate scandal that emerged in 2015. This is the biggest ever fine imposed on any company in Germany. The latest fine also follows a plea agreement in the US from earlier this year when the carmaker agreed to pay $4.3 billion to resolve criminal and civil penalties for cheat devices in their diesel-powered cars to comply with US emission tests.

“Following thorough examination, Volkswagen AG has accepted the fine and it will not lodge an appeal against it. Volkswagen AG, by doing so, admits its responsibility for the diesel crisis and considers this as a further step toward the latter being overcome,” said the carmaker in a statement.

The latest fine does not address civil claims by vehicle owners. However, it brings to an end the regulatory offence proceeding against the carmaker. And Volkswagen has said it will help settle further administrative proceedings against it in the continent.

Volkswagen isn’t the only carmaker facing troubles recently. Even Daimler has been asked to recall nearly 2,40,000 cars fitted with illegal cheat devices. Media reports claim that this is just a small portion of cars that are equipped with these devices and that there could be a total of 7,74,000 affected units in Europe alone.