During the hearing of the Committee of Inquiry into Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector (EMIS), ALFA MEP and ECR spokesman Hans-Olaf Henkel warned of the committee’s misuse as “Spanish Inquisition” against the European automotive industry.

During the hearing of the Committee of Inquiry into Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector (EMIS), ALFA MEP and ECR spokesman Hans-Olaf Henkel warned of the committee’s misuse as “Spanish Inquisition” against the European automotive industry. According to its mandate, the board is in charge of analysing shortcomings of the EU and national legislators concerning the implementation of emission measurement. Henkel criticised several representatives of other parliamentary groups such as Paloma López Bermejo (Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left) or Bas Eickhoult (Greens) for holding all European automobile manufacturers collectively responsible for technical manipulation carried out by VW and hereby hampering the actual work of the committee. “They seem to be aiming at damaging the automotive industry in general and denying the sustainability of diesel technology in particular”, states Henkel.

Expert of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), Paul Greening, meanwhile confirmed during the hearing that Volkswagen was the only European automotive manufacturer using the illegal shut-off device. Furthermore, he made clear, that under certain technical conditions diesel engines can be fulfilling future emission standards.

Henkel supports a long-term harmonisation of emission standards as well as standards in the measurement of emission between the EU and the USA and its incorporation in TTIP. “The committee has finally recognized that the EU and the USA can learn a lot form each other. By including emission standards into TTIP, we would not only ensure an optimal protection from emission on both sides of the Atlantic and guarantee fair conditions of competition for all manufacturers, but we could also significantly improve the acceptance of TTIP”, says Henkel.