Former European Commissioner Günter Verheugen has claimed that there was no evidence of emissions test manipulation up to 2010, as he moved to defend himself against accusations of collusion with the car industry. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Although the initial outrage of the Volkswagen dieselgate affair has largely dissipated, former European Commissioner for Industry and Enterprise Günter Verheugen has been defending himself in front of a European Parliament inquiry committee.
German Verheugen told the committee yesterday (30 August) that EU regulations were “clear” during his term in office from 2004 to 2010 as he moved to refute suggestions emissions test manipulation was made possible by overly industry-friendly policies.
Verheugen admitted that growth and employment were “undoubtedly a priority” for the Commission at the time, but insisted that, from his point of view, there had been no “inherent conflict of interest” between industry and environment policies.
The former vice-president of the first Barroso Commission also defended himself against accusations that he made deals with the car industry. “It was not my job to do something for the industry, but to do it for the citizens,” insisted Verheugen.
Last year it came to the light that certain VW diesel cars in the US had been fitted with devices intended to cheat emissions tests. According to figures provided by the German car-maker themselves, the software was installed in around 11 million cars worldwide.
During his time in the job, there was “no evidence” that carmakers were using so-called cut-off devices to paint a rosier picture of emissions, Verheugen told MEPs. “I didn’t even think it was possible, from a moral point of view. Also, I didn’t think it was possible from a technical point of view,” he said.
He also reminded the Parliament committee of the member states’ responsibility to enforce EU law and monitor compliance.
GUE/NGL MEP Cornelia Ernst accused Verheugen of trying to distance himself from his own responsibilities. She accused him of “supporting the interests of the car lobby” and for failing to ensure European regulations were implemented. The EPP group indicated that Verheugen’s two-hour-long meeting had brought “no clarity” to the VW affair.
The fact that he is the “father” of the current problematic legislation on emissions means that he will have to “give more answers”, explained EPP spokesperson Krisjanis Karins. MEPs indicated that they were “not finished” with Verheugen yet.
Verheugen, who also served as Enlargement Commissioner in the Prodi Commission, had initially refused to appear before the committee. He claimed that his “hesitation” was purely based on legal reasons, as he was unsure whether he could speak on behalf of the Commissioner given that he is a former member.