European Parliament to Investigate VW Emissions Scandal

Strategic Insights -

The European Parliament has voted to establish a committee to investigate the Volkswagen emissions scandal, following the car manufacturer's admission in September that it rigged U.S. tests for nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel cars. The scandal has raised concerns about loopholes in European regulations and the influence of automakers on regulatory bodies. The parliamentary inquiry will examine the roles of national authorities and the European Commission in allowing the regulatory breakdown to occur, and may last for up to a year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Parliament voted 354-229 to establish a committee to investigate Volkswagen's emissions scandal, with the committee to be composed of 45 members and presided over by government, EU, and industry representatives.
  • The inquiry will focus on alleged contraventions of European Union law and "maladministration" in its application, and will examine the roles of national authorities and the European Commission in allowing the regulatory breakdown to occur.
  • The scandal has highlighted loopholes in European regulations that allow carmakers to get round official emissions limits, as well as the influence of automakers on regulatory bodies.
  • The committee will hold public hearings and will have the power to summon government, EU, and industry representatives to testify.
  • Volkswagen's admission in September affected up to 11 million vehicles, mostly in Europe, which could be fitted with illegal "defeat devices" capable of cheating tests.

Statistics:

  • 354: The number of votes in favor of establishing the committee to investigate Volkswagen's emissions scandal.
  • 229: The number of votes against establishing the committee.
  • 45: The number of members that will sit on the committee.
  • 11 million: The estimated number of vehicles affected by the scandal, mostly in Europe.
  • 1 year: The maximum duration of the parliamentary inquiry.

Sources:

  • The European Parliament
  • The European Commission
  • Cyprus Mail, " European Parliament to investigate VW emissions scandal", 2015.