Standard Motor Products Europe (SMP Europe), a UK-based manufacturer of engine management, emissions and fueling components, has voiced disappointment over the UK-USA Economic Prosperity Deal. It said the deal represents a missed opportunity to secure meaningful, balanced trade. The UK’s Department for Business and Trade announced June 30 that a reduction of import tariffs on certain UK goods shipped to the US has come into force. In a statement, it said, “British car and aerospace manufa...

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has expressed approval for the Federal government's decision to conduct a formal review of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme (MVIS), Australia's first Right to Repair law that was enacted in July 2022. This review is under the Albanese government's National Competition Policy reform agenda and will be conducted by the Treasury. It aims to determine whether the scheme is achieving its goals of promoting competi...

Detroit Axle, an aftermarket auto parts dealer based in Ferndale, Michigan, is facing potential closure within weeks due to tariffs on goods imported from China, according to a June 8 news report by The Detroit News. The company filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the termination of the "de minimis" exemption, which allowed small-value packages from China to be imported duty-free, the report added. Detroit Axle's filing with the US Court of International Trade expresses urge...

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has raised concerns regarding the impact of ongoing US trade measures on Australian automotive manufacturers. The association said despite the US administration pausing a planned 125% tariff on Chinese imports, a 25% tariff under Section 301 trade measures continues to affect Australian-made automotive products exported to the US. “This pause may benefit some manufacturers using Chinese components, but it does nothing to address ...

According to Gabriel Padilla, general director of the National Auto Parts Industry (La Industria Nacional de Autopartes: INA), the association of automotive components suppliers in Mexico, about 92% of auto parts manufactured in the country comply with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) regulations, allowing them to be exempt from tariffs when exported to the US. The remaining 8% face an average tariff of 27%. “We are one of the sectors with the highest level of compliance with the USMC...

The United States and the United Kingdom have reached an agreement to reduce import taxes on a set number of British cars and allow some steel and aluminum to enter the US tariff-free. This new arrangement presents a respite for key UK industries from certain tariffs implemented by US President Donald Trump since his re-election. That said, a 10% duty will still apply to most UK goods. Although the announcement has been praised by leaders from both nations, analysts suggest it does not signif...

The US and mainland China have agreed to roll back reciprocal tariffs on each other’s goods announced last month for an initial period of days, CNN Business reported on May 12. The world’s two leading economies released a joint statement after extensive trade negotiations held over the weekend in Geneva, Switzerland. The joint statement highlighted the “substantial progress” made by officials from both countries. The officials acknowledged the necessity of fostering a sustainable, long-t...

The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) welcomed the additional clarity provided by the US Administration’s Executive Orders concerning the stacking of different tariff regimes. Under an April 29 executive order, some of the tariffs announced in the past few months are no longer cumulative and no longer “stack” on top of each other. Previously, for example, an imported steel frame rail was facing a 50% tariff, composed of 25% of the Section 232 tariff on the value of ...

Six automotive and aftermarket trade groups have urged the US Trade Representative and US Departments of the Treasury and Commerce to delay the implementation of President Donald Trump's 25% tariff on imported automotive parts, as they need time to adjust their supply chains.  Currently, a 25% tariff on imported assembled vehicles is already in effect since April 3, and a similar tariff on parts is scheduled to commence on May 3. The groups, consisting of the Alliance for Automotive Inno...

The 16th edition of the CLEPA Aftermarket Conference, which took place April 2–3 in Brussels, shone light on the evolutionary trends within the European automotive aftermarket, with a particular emphasis on data and software innovation. Attended by over 200 participants including industry experts, policymakers and representatives from the European Commission, the event echoed the sector's rapid adaptation to technological advancements and regulatory changes, according to a press release. CL...

The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Aftermarket Suppliers, an association in North America representing motor-vehicle component manufacturers, has made a statement on the temporary pause of auto tariffs on Canada and Mexico.  The US administration has temporarily halted the imposition of a 25% tariff, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), on compliant automobile products from Canada and Mexico based on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreem...

On Feb. 1, President Trump enacted executive orders to impose tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China, citing a national emergency concerning illegal immigration and the entry of illicit drugs into the US. The Auto Care Association, a US-based industry body representing independent manufacturers, distributors and repair shops, responded to the administration’s tariffs in a statement dated Feb. 3.  However, on Feb. 4, a day after Auto Care Association's statement, Trump agre...

The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Aftermarket Suppliers, an association in North America representing motor-vehicle component manufacturers, has announced its opposition to the proposed 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, saying that the tariffs would put additional pressure on the supplier industry and impede the ability of supplier companies to grow, invest and operate their businesses.  Highlighting the integral role of the US vehicle supplier industr...

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has welcomed the review of the Australian Design Rules (ADR), saying that it offers a long-overdue opportunity to address critical challenges faced by the automotive industry, according to a press release dated Dec. 13. Announced by Catherine King, the minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, and led by Warren Mundy, the review provides a chance to tackle systemic flaws in the existing ADR ...

The Auto Care Association, a US-based industry body representing independent manufacturers, distributors and repair shops, announced that the proposed tariffs by President-elect Trump, announced via Truth Social to be effective from Jan. 20, 2025, could significantly impact US consumers and businesses, according to a press release dated Dec. 11, 2024. These tariffs encompass a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, in addition to a 10% tariff on imports from China, with the aim of addr...

The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Aftermarket Suppliers, an association in North America representing motor-vehicle component manufacturers, has announced the appointment of Jon Gentile as the new vice president of Legislative Affairs, according to a press release dated Nov. 11. With an extensive background in advocacy and government relations, including his most recent role as the chief advocacy officer for the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (P...

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) said that it welcomes the announcement by Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers of an A$400 million annual investment aimed at enhancing the Right to Repair (R2R) across various industries, according to a press release dated Nov. 13. The commitment serves as an expansion to the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing law of 2021, which was Australia's breakthrough automotive R2R legislation, the statement said, adding that AAAA se...

The Maine Right to Repair Working Group recently engaged in discussions regarding the independent entity mandated by a new right to repair law, LD 1677, passed in 2023 through a referendum, according to a report by Repairer Driven News dated Nov. 1. This law aims at ensuring equal access for independent repairers to vehicle data and telematics, comparable to that available to dealership and original equipment manufacturer-certified facilities. Despite industry agreements asserting independent...

The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has proposed a reduction of nearly €4.6 billion in funding initially allocated to support the country’s automotive industry between 2025 and 2030. The move, announced at a time when the European automotive industry is facing sluggish vehicle demand, is said to significantly impact the turnaround plans of vehicle manufacturers, especially Stellantis, in Italy. The proposed cut has been criticized by the Italian automotive lobby ...

MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers has established the executive committee for the Aftermarket Suppliers CEO Council, uniting influential leaders from the automotive, commercial vehicle and remanufacturing sectors, to foster a collaborative environment geared toward future industry advancements, according to a press release dated Oct. 18. Serving as chair is Ben Smart, global CEO of Moss Motors and Rimmer Bros, accompanied by the executive committee members: Houman (H.K.) Kashanipour from A...

California's legislature has approved a bill aimed at increasing privacy and safety for vehicle owners, specifically targeting victims of domestic or sexual assault and human trafficking, according to a press release on Sept. 13. This legislation, known as SB1394, is awaiting the approval of the governor. If enacted, the bill will gradually implement new requirements for original equipment manufacturers through 2028 to enhance the privacy of connected vehicle services.  Starting from Jul...

The Attorney General's Office (OAG) of Pennsylvania, US, recently updated the state's Automotive Industry Trade Practices regulation to offer better protection for consumers buying used vehicles, according to a report by Repairer Driven News dated Sept. 17. The amendment includes requirements for online advertising, mandating that advertised vehicles undergo an inspection within 30 days of being added to a dealer's inventory. Additionally, vehicles must be reinspected if they accumulate 500 m...

The Automotive Service Association (ASA), a national trade association for independent automotive service and repair professionals, has expressed concerns over new US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, stating they could impose significant hardships on independent auto repairers due to the shift toward electric vehicles, according to a press release dated Aug. 26. According to ASA, the Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Mediu...

The Auto Care Association, a US-based industry body representing independent manufacturers, distributors and repair shops, has announced the elected members of its board of directors for the 2024-2025 term, according to a press release dated July 1. This board is effective as of July 1. The members of this Auto Care Association Board of Directors are: Chairman of the board: Mike Boyer, president, TASCO sales reps Vice chairman of the board: Greg Noethlich, CEO, Old World Industries ...

The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Aftermarket Suppliers, an association in North America representing motor-vehicle component manufacturers, has announced that it applauds the announcement on May 6 by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the Biden-Harris Administration in their support of small- and medium-sized auto parts manufacturers and autoworkers, according to a press release dated May 6. MEMA said through the announcement of more than $100 million in funding and...

The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (Comité de Liaison Européen des Fabricants d'Equipements et de Pièces Automobiles: CLEPA) has released a note on the importance of competition as a fundamental principle in the automotive aftermarket and the importance of permanent adaption of the framework that fosters competition developed by the legislator and the European Court of Justice, according to the statement by CLEPA Secretary General Benjamin Krieger dated April 12. The associat...

US-based Auto Care Association has released results from a new nationwide survey of repair shops highlighting the challenges that independent repair facilities face when servicing vehicles, often forcing them to turn away business, according to a press release dated April 10. These new survey findings reiterate the immediate need for the bipartisan REPAIR Act, which would ensure that vehicle owners and repairers of their choice have access to the vehicle data, tools and software required to main...

The Auto Care Association, a US-based industry body representing independent manufacturers, distributors and repair shops, in collaboration with the US Commercial Service Office of the US Consulate in São Paulo, hosted a data standards conference on March 19, 2024, in São Paulo, according to a press release dated March 28. The conference was part of the association’s trade promotion initiatives, made possible by the Market Development Cooperator (MDCP) award from the US Commerce Departm...

Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) member companies, aftermarket businesses and customers have sent over 5,000 letters to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) against California Air Resources Board’s (CARB's) Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation that would ban the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, according to a press release dated March 27.  The ACC II requires that 35% of all new passenger vehicles and light trucks that are so...

The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Aftermarket Suppliers, an association in North America representing motor-vehicle component manufacturers, has announced that it applauds the recent submission from the US Justice Department (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to the US Copyright Office, according to a press release dated March 15. The submission supports MEMA’s petition for a new exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act's (DMCA's) anti-circumventi...

A recent court case involving AET Motorsport has highlighted a legal grey area surrounding car modifications that could put drivers and businesses at risk of prosecution, according to a news report by Autocar UK dated Feb. 9. The court found the company guilty of illegally altering a car's catalytic converter and engine control unit to increase noise levels, making it illegal to drive on public roads. The magistrates emphasized that business owners must be aware of the law and warned that simila...

The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Aftermarket Suppliers, an association in North America representing motor-vehicle component manufacturers, has announced that it is organizing a fly-in event from Jan. 30–31 to advocate for the passage of the REPAIR Act, which aims to protect consumers' right to choose independent repair shops and suppliers for vehicle servicing, according to a press release dated Jan. 4. The event will bring together senior executives, corporate le...

As part of the Independent Service Providers (ISP) group, CLEPA and nine other European associations representing the mobility ecosystem, including consumers and insurers, have written to the European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen to express dismay at a new delay in the Commission’s adoption of a long-promised sectoral legislation for access to in-vehicle data, according to a press release dated December 19 by The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (Comité de Liaison...

According to a briefing from the UK Prime Minister’s Office, the government is bringing forward a bill that is aimed at protecting consumer rights by according liability of collisions involving autonomous vehicles to original equipment manufacturers, a press release dated Nov. 10 said. This policy could clear any ambiguity in the industry, especially in terms of who will pay for vehicle damage in the event of a collision. According to recent reports, some insurance companies have suppo...

In a significant step forward, the REPAIR Act in the US has been sent for markup and voted through a House of Representatives subcommittee, marking the furthest right-to-repair efforts have gone in the country, a press release reported Nov. 8. Meanwhile, in Canada, the House of Commons has unanimously passed Bill C-244, which proposes amendments to the Copyright Act to give Canadians the right to access their data for the purposes of diagnosis, maintenance, or repair of certain products, incl...

Auto Care Association and the IAAF have formed a new partnership aimed at enhancing collaboration and sharing best practices between the two associations, according to a press release dated Nov. 9. The agreement was reached during a meeting at the recent AAPEX automotive expo, where representatives from both federations discussed common goals and aims affecting their respective industries and memberships. Auto Care Association, representing the over $470 billion US auto care industry, pr...

In a recent ballot initiative in Maine, US, over 80% of voters supported a measure that ensures car owners have access to vehicle diagnostic tools and data necessary for routine repairs, according to a press release dated Nov. 8. This victory comes as the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act (H.R. 906) gains momentum on the federal level. The REPAIR Act aims to provide consumers with expanded repair options by ensuring that vehicle owners can access repair data a...

The United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce, has favorably reported the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act, to the full Energy and Commerce Committee for future consideration. This move was applauded by the Auto Care Association, a US-based industry body representing independent manufacturers, distributors and repair shops, and The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Aftermarket Suppliers, an ...

The Auto Care Association, a US-based industry body representing independent manufacturers, distributors and repair shops, announced in a press release dated October 4 that it has collaborated with other industry groups asking the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles to clarify its intended implementation of Public Act No. 23-40 new section 24. The association said this enactment could impose burdensome and potentially anti-competitive requirements upon automotive aftermarket service and rep...

The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Aftermarket Suppliers, an association in North America representing motor-vehicle component manufacturers, has announced that in a recent letter to the Biden administration, the association has emphasized the critical role and interdependence of vehicle suppliers in the country's automotive manufacturing landscape, according to a press release dated September 27. MEMA also highlighted the impact the ongoing contract discussions between U...

Italian tire manufacturer Pirelli announced that it has created a bespoke logo to identify tires that contain at least 50% materials of bio-based and recycled origin, according to a press release dated September 20. The new marking, which depicts two arrows in a circle and will be adopted on new products, allows customers to choose more sustainable tires. The latest Pirelli marking was used for the first time on the P Zero E, which contains more than 55% of materials of bio-based and rec...

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has delayed a ban on new petrol and diesel cars as part of exemptions and delays to several of the country’s green policies in a major change to the government's approach to achieving net zero by 2050, according to an official press release dated September 20. The government has moved back the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by five years, so all sales of new cars from 2035 will be zero emission, according to the statement, which added that the mo...

Japanese tire specialist, The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., announced through a press release dated September 15 that it has begun production of its ultrahigh-performance summer tire — the Advan Sport EV, designed specifically for premium battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) — and other high-performance tires, using electric power derived from a new proprietary solar-panel power generation system and procured renewable energy. Its Shinshiro-Minami, Japan, plant, where the...

In a major achievement toward its sustainable manufacturing goals, Continental said that its tire plant in Lousado, Portugal, received the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS. This globally recognized certification confirms the company’s compliance with special sustainability standards at the plant. The certificate also testifies to transparency regarding the traceability of the raw materials used in the production processes. By certifying the raw material...

Global tiremaker Hankook Tire announced that it has joined the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP), an association of automakers and their suppliers working toward a positive environmental impact for the US automotive industry, according to a press release dated August 1. Formed in 2002, SP provides a forum for automakers and their suppliers to advance sustainability across three areas: Operations, materials and suppliers. SP members work in collaboration with the US Environme...

The Automotive Aftermarket division of German automotive and industrial component supplier Schaeffler AG has announced that it is installing a new photovoltaic power plant at its European assembly and packaging center Aftermarket Kitting Operations (AKO) in Halle, Germany, according to a press release dated July 19. With approximately 6,000 photovoltaic modules and a total area of more than 11,000 square meters, the system is currently the second-largest rooftop photovoltaic system of its kin...

Nine months after its launch, the Forum on Automotive Aftermarket Sustainability (FAAS) has announced the formation of a legally registered, non-profit European association, according to a press release by the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (Comité de Liaison Européen des Fabricants d'Equipements et de Pièces Automobiles: CLEPA) dated July 14. Comprising 28 prominent members, the FAAS is described as an initiative “dedicated to advancing sustainability, promoting gre...

The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (Comité de Liaison Européen des Fabricants d'Equipements et de Pièces Automobiles: CLEPA) has welcomed the initiative by the European Commission’s move to publish the Euro 7 proposal saying that the proposal offers potential for further reduction in the environmental impact of new vehicles on air quality, according to a press release dated June 5. “The European supply industry supports Euro 7 as an important tool to meet f...

India-based tire manufacturer, Apollo Tyres Ltd., has announced that it is now sourcing 100% of its natural rubber supplies from companies who have committed to sustainability throughout the supply chain, aligning with the code of conduct set out by the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), according to a press release dated May 24. The new initiative, which came into full effect recently, and forms part of Apollo Tyres’ Global Sustainability Strategy, applies to the suppl...

Global leading tire company Hankook Tire & Technology and global petrochemical company Kumho Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (KKPC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the development of eco-friendly tires, utilizing Eco Solution-polymerized Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (Eco-SSBR), according to a press release dated May 23. To respond to the growing demand for sustainable raw materials and products, both companies will cooperate in developing eco-friendly tires using recycled...

In an effort to enhance environmental sustainability, DENSO Aftermarket announced that it has identified and implemented changes to how it both sources and uses the inner packaging for its rotating products and compressors, according to a press release dated May 4. Significance: “Although the packaging we have used to protect the rotating products (starters and alternators) and [air-conditioning] compressors in our aftermarket range has ensured that the products are delivered in good c...

Stellantis has confirmed that it is finalizing testing of eFuels on 28 engine families to help accelerate the carbon emissions reduction potential of the 28 million Stellantis internal combustion engines (ICE) built since 2014 (Euro 6) in Europe, while remaining committed to selling only battery-electric vehicle (BEV) passenger cars in the region by the end of the decade, according to a press release dated April 20. As part of the toolbox available to reduce carbon emissions and fight against...

The European Commission drafted a plan allowing sales of new cars with internal combustion engines that run only on climate-neutral e-fuels, in an attempt to resolve a spat with Germany over the European Union's phasing out of combustion-engine cars from 2035, according to a Reuters report dated March 21. The draft proposal, seen by Reuters on March 21, suggested creating a new type of vehicle category in the EU for cars that can only run on carbon-neutral fuels. Such vehi...

MEKO (previously Mekonomen Group), an automotive spare-parts distributor based in Sweden, announced that it was intensifying its work to reduce the company's climate footprint, according to a press release dated March 21. As one of the first companies in the independent automotive aftermarket in northern Europe, MEKO has joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), an international framework for companies that adopt science-based climate targets to limit global warming, the rele...

Bridgestone is accelerating initiatives toward the realization of its Sustainability Business Framework that ensures the link between sustainability activities and business for contributing to carbon neutrality and a circular economy across the entire value chain, as announced in a press release dated 15 February. Bridgestone Corporation announced today that it has commenced solar power generation at two tire plants in Japan, the Shimonoseki Plant and Kitakyushu Plant, based on a power purcha...

As a part of the law change, carmakers operating within the EU must achieve a 100% cut in CO2 emissions from new cars sold. As a result, this would make it impossible to sell new fossil fuel-powered vehicles. On Tuesday 14th February, the European Parliament formally approved a new law that will effectively ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the European Union (EU) from 2035. The goal of this latest piece of automotive legislation is to accelerate the switch to electric vehicles...

According to a report by The Economic Times, India’s Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the government plans to scrap more than 900,000 vehicles older than 15 years that are owned by the central and state governments. This decision is aligned with the government's effort to decarbonize the road transport sector. Speaking at a session on future of mobility, organized by a trade body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (F...

US tire manufacturer, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, announced in a press release dated 4 January that it has unveiled a demonstration tire comprised of 90% sustainable materials. This demonstration tire has passed all applicable regulatory testing and it also tested to have lower rolling resistance when compared to the reference tire made with traditional materials, the release added. Lower rolling resistance means this demonstration tire has the potential to offer better fuel savin...

Michigan-based global automotive component supplier BorgWarner plans to reduce its absolute Scope 3 emissions by at least 25% by 2031 from a 2021 baseline, the company announced on 15 December 2022. The company said that it has formally submitted its Scope 3 target, along with the previously announced target to achieve 85% absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reduction by 2030 (from a 2021 baseline), for validation to the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). BorgWarner added that these s...

Eberspaecher, a German automotive supplier of thermal management systems and automotive control components for the OEMs and the aftermarket, says the Purem by Eberspaecher brand with its exhaust technology solutions is well placed with the shift to the Euro 7 emission standard, according to a press release dated 10 November. The draft legislation for Euro 7 was recently published and the emission norm is expected to come into force in 2025, replacing the existing Euro 6 standard. The emission...

The European Commission has presented a proposal to implement Euro 7 emission norms for new cars and vans from 1 July 2025 and new heavy-duty vehicles such as lorries, trucks, and buses from 1 July 2027, according to a media note released by the Commission on 10 November 2022. Besides the tailpipe emissions, the Euro 7 proposal also includes emissions from brakes and tyres and therefore also covers electric vehicles too in its purview. The battery electric vehicles (BEVs) also still caus...

In the recent "#PosventaConSentido (Aftersales with Sense) Dialogues", organized by the Spanish Association of Automotive Suppliers (Sernauto) with the collaboration of Conese, a consultancy specializing in sustainability, the dialogue #MovilidadConSentido (Mobilty with Sense) was published, a conversation in which it is valued how large companies face the new environmental and regulatory challenges posed by a more environmentally friendly mobility. During the conversation, it was analyzed ho...

German automotive and industrial component supplier Schaeffler has announced that it is developing key components and systems for hydrogen mobility for commercial vehicles, according to a press release dated 14 September. The company is demonstrating a fuel cell-powered demonstration vehicle, developed in collaboration with REFIRE, a supplier of commercial hydrogen fuel cell technologies, at the upcoming IAA Transportation show in Hanover. It is also leveraging its bearings know-how to develo...

Amazon announced that the company has signed an agreement with Plug Power, a US-based turnkey hydrogen and fuel-cell solutions provider, to supply 10,950 metric tons per year of green hydrogen for its transportation and building operations starting in 2025, according to a press release dated 25 August. The new green hydrogen will be used to replace the grey hydrogen, diesel, and other fossil fuels and will provide enough annual power for 30,000 forklift trucks and 800 long-haul trucks used for t...

Sigrid de Vries, the Secretary General of CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, has strongly opposed a decision by the European Parliament to phase out all carbon dioxide (CO2) emitting light vehicles by 2035, according to an official statement by CLEPA dated 8 June. On 8 June, a majority of MEP’s (Members of the European Parliament) approved the target of reaching zero-emission or 100% reduction of CO2 emissions for new passenger cars and light-duty vehicles by 2035, as ...

US-based paints, coatings, and specialty materials manufacturer PPG showcased its latest innovations at its production and research and development (R&D) facility in Amsterdam. According to a press release dated 20 May, the event focused on advancements in three key areas—sustainability, efficiency and mobility—reflecting the company’s goals of helping customers lower costs, reduce their environmental footprint and support the global shift to electric vehicles (EVs). Recent PPG inno...

US-based paints, coatings, and specialty materials manufacturer PPG announced that it has set up a high-efficiency power-generation facility at its Quattordio, Italy, automotive paint and coatings manufacturing site, and the move is expected to reduce energy costs by 13% and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 10% annually, according to a press release dated 4 May. Combining cooling, heating, and power, which is known as trigeneration, the facility can operate on a combination of natural gas an...

Leading public EV charging network provider in the US, EVgo Inc. was awarded several grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to install new high powered 350 kW DC fast charging stations, the company announced on 8 November. It said that these projects are supported by the latest funding from the Pennsylvania DEP’s ‘Driving PA Forward’ initiative and adds to the three stations and 10 DC fast chargers the company has already installed. “EVgo is ...

The South Korean government has passed a bill that sets the year 2050 as the target for carbon neutrality in the country. According to a report filed by Electrive on 2 September, the National Assembly of the country has also earmarked KRW12 trillion (approximately USD10.3 billion) in 2022 for the e-mobility sector. The budget covers incentives for both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as well as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs), in addition to the installation of EV charging stations acros...

The Indian state government of Odisha has approved an electric vehicle (EV) policy in an attempt to promote EV manufacturing and adoption of pollution-free transport, news agency PTI reported on 28 August. The Odisha Electric Vehicle Policy, 2021 was approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by the state chief minister Naveen Patnaik, the report said. "The objective of the policy is to achieve adoption of 20% electric vehicles of all automobile registrations by 2025 and to promot...

U.S.-based electric car maker Tesla’s proposal for a reduction in import duty to enter the Indian market has found support by several government agencies, including the road transport ministry, department for promotion of industry and internal trade and think tank NITI Aayog, according to a news report filed by the Times of India on 30 August. The report said that the final call to make any changes to the import duty levied on completely built electric cars is now to be taken by the finance...

The Indian government, which has been pushing for growing localization of automotive parts and reducing import dependency for the industry, is in the final stages of announcing a big-ticket production-linked incentive or PLI scheme, The Economic Times reported on 27 August, citing a cabinet minister. The proposed PLI scheme by the government focuses on increasing local production and thereby growing exports for made-in-India goods. “The department of heavy industries is in the final stag...

In order to provide the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in medium- and long-haul traffic, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) has issued tenders for the construction and operation of 1,000 fast charging locations, each with several charging points, BMVI said in an official statement on 16 August. The plan, according to the Federal Ministry, will create several thousand new fast charging points, which would be called ‘The Germany network�...

German government’s Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) has committed a total of EUR500 million (USD584 million) to be invested by the end of 2025 for further development of public charging infrastructure in Europe’s largest car market, BMVI said in an official statement on 17 August. The aim is to set up a total of at least 50,000 charging points, of which at least 20,000 are fast charging points, it said. The Federal Ministry said that first call for fundi...

The UK Government has unveiled its first Hydrogen Strategy, aimed at developing a thriving low carbon hydrogen sector in the country. According to a publication by the UK Government dated 17 August, the country is targeting production numbers of 5 GW of low carbon hydrogen by the year 2030, in accordance with the 10 point plan for a green industrial revolution. The Hydrogen Strategy outlines how the UK will rapidly and significantly scale up production and lay the foundations for a low carbon...

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the launch of a National Hydrogen Mission, which aims to accelerate generation of carbon-free fuel from renewables as India targets to achieve self-reliance in energy generation by 2047, a report filed by news agency PTI said on 15 August. While delivering his Independence Day address on Sunday, PM Modi said that India can achieve self-reliance in energy through a mix of a gas-based economy, usage of ethanol in petrol and adoption of electric ...

Volkswagen AG and Tesla Inc have called for lower import duties on electric cars in India to help drive demand for clean vehicles, according to a Reuters report. Lowering import duties on electric vehicles (EVs) even to 25% from the current levels of as high as 100% would not pose a threat to the domestic players but would help drive investment, Reuters report said, quoting ŠKODA Auto Volkswagen India’s managing director. "The market for EVs has to be big enough for investments to ...

A group of 28 US House Democrats on Monday asked congressional leaders to allocate USD85-billion funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, Reuters reported on 10 August, citing that the demand represents a big jump over the funding proposed in a bill before Congress. The current USD1-trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill under consideration allocates USD7.5-billion funding to EV charging infrastructure but Democrats plan additional funding in a separate measure that co...

Russia plans to subsidize the purchase of locally manufactured electric vehicles (EVs) to boost the demand and production in the country, Reuters said in a report on 4 August, citing Russia’s economy ministry. According to the report, Russia is lagging in the global EV race as no EVs are currently manufactured in the country. However, the Russian government has ambitious plans for stimulating for vehicle manufacturing industry locally as it is considering a financial stimulus to boost the s...

The United States has set an ambitious new target to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), or fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), the White House administration said in a statement on 5 August. The executive order also kicks off development of long-term fuel efficiency and emissions standards to save consumers money, cut pollution, boost public health, advance environmenta...

Minnesota has become the latest state to adopt California clean car standards, Green Car Congress said in a report filed on 27 July. According to the report, the new policy will implement two clean car standards to reduce vehicle emissions: a) The low-emission vehicle (LEV) standard requires vehicle manufacturers to deliver passenger cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) that produce lower greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants for sale in Minnesota. The Minnesota LEV...

Stuttgart-based engine parts manufacturer, MAHLE has expressed disapproval of the proposals made by the European Union Commission to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, it said in an official statement on 14 July. Welcoming the approach of defining a roadmap toward climate neutrality adopted by the EU Commission, MAHLE said it does not consider that the proposals made by the Commission maintains the balance required between environmental protection, technology, and employment. The EU Com...

The Indian state Maharashtra, which revealed its new Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2021 on 13 July, has set an ambitious target for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to contribute 10 percent of new vehicle registrations by 2025. It said that all EVs eligible under the policy shall be exempt from registration charges. Furthermore, all EVs sold in the state shall also be exempt from the road tax. The policy has laid down demand incentives for EVs across segments; for example, while...

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated USD52.5 million to fund 31 projects to advance next-generation clean hydrogen technologies and support its recently announced Hydrogen Energy Earthshot initiative to reduce costs and accelerate breakthroughs in the clean hydrogen sector, the US government department announced on 7 July. Clean hydrogen is a form of renewable energy, which, if made cheaper and easier to produce, can play a major role in dealing with the climate crisis. W...

The Canadian government has announced that it will ban the sale of new light-duty cars and passenger pickup trucks that are powered by fossil fuels from 2035 onward, in order for Canada to achieve net-zero emissions by the year 2050. According to a press release issued by the Government of Canada on 29 June, it will use a combination of investments and regulations to help Canadians and industry transition to achieve the 100% zero emission vehicle sales by 2035. The government will work also w...

Australia’s southeastern state New South Wales has announced a package of about AUD490 million (USD368 million) to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) over the next four years. The package includes stamp duty waivers and rebates for zero-emission vehicles, along with allocation of AUD171 million for the new EV charging infrastructure and AUD33 million for purchase of EVs for government fleet, among others, the state government said in a media release on 20 June. “Stamp d...

The Government of New Zealand is taking action in line with the advice of the Climate Change Commission to increase the uptake of low emission vehicles by introducing a range of measures that will help meet the country’s 2050 carbon neutrality target and create jobs to support economic recovery. According to a press release issued by the government on 13 June, new rebates will be introduced for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles from 1 July onward—with up to NZD8,625 (approximately USD6,15...

California would require nearly 1.2 million electric vehicle (EV) charging stations by 2030 to charge 7.5 million passenger plug-in EVs anticipated to ply on the roads of the western US state, a new report compiled by the California Energy Commission (CEC) said. CEC had released the said report on 9 June. Earlier in 2020, the state had issued a mandate that requires all new passenger vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2035. The said report is part of the California Assembly Bill (AB) 2...

Moving fast to secure domestic supply chains for large-scale production of lithium batteries, thereby cutting down dependency on other markets and promoting research and development in critical materials, the US government released a 10-year national blueprint for lithium batteries (2021–30) on 7 June. The national blueprint is prepared by the Federal Consortium for Advanced Batteries (FCAB), which is led by the Departments of Energy, Defense, Commerce, and State and includes many organizat...

The US Government will establish a new Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force that will address the near-term supply chain challenges to ensure faster economic recovery, it said in a statement on 8 June 2021. According to the statement, the Biden-Harris administration’s task force will be led by the Secretaries of commerce, transportation, and agriculture, and will focus on pain points entailing supply-demand mismatch in areas including semiconductors and transportation. “The Task Force w...

According to an article by Mercom India on 7 June, the Indian state of West Bengal, which announced its electric vehicle (EV) policy earlier this week, plans to achieve sales of one million EVs across two-, three-, and four-wheeler segments over the next five years. The state government also plans to set up about 100,000 EV charging stations during the period. The state not only aims to promote EVs but also aims to become one of the top three states in India in EV sales in near future. Wes...

US President Joe Biden’s newly introduced strategy to provide a boost to electric vehicles (EVs) will include plans to ramp up the domestic recycling of EV batteries. According to a report filed by business news agency Reuters on 5 June, this plan calls for increasing the reuse of lithium and other materials used in EV battery packs. The Biden administration is also reportedly seeking new ways to reduce metals usage in new battery chemistries. To this end, reports from government bodies is ...

The Cabinet of India’s Karnataka State Government has decided to offer 15% capital subsidy to investors in electric vehicle (EV) sector, according to a report by ET Auto on 27 May 2021. The government will offer a 15% capital subsidy on the value of fixed assets over five equal annual payments, Law minister Basavaraj Bommai was quoted as saying. The subsidy will apply to plots of up to 50 acres. Significance: The Cabinet decided to amend its Karnataka Electric Vehicle & Storage Policy, ...

SAIC-GM-Wuling’s subsidiary in Indonesia will be helping draft local new electric vehicle (NEV) industry standards and policies, to boost shift towards electrification in Malaysia, China Daily reported. Significance: In a statement to China Daily, the carmaker said, “We will actively participate in drafting relevant NEV policies and industry standards. And we will share our experience in the segment with the Indonesian government to foster the segment's local development.” Indon...

California Governor Gavin Newsom has debuted a new proposal to set aside USD3.2 billion to boost electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and adoption in the US state over the next three years, according to a California Department of Finance filing on 14 May. This translates into an investment of USD1.8 billion in 2020–21. Significance: “This is a big deal. The Biden administration’s been talking a lot about this, they’re hoping to do something with the Senate, but we’re doing it. We’...

The New York state of the United States has announced that it will permit only zero-emission passenger cars and light commercial vehicles to be newly registered from the year 2035 onward. According to a report filed by Electrive on 28 April, all new medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles registered in the state by the year 2045 will have to be zero-emission as well. This law has passed the US Senate as part of a more comprehensive environmental protection bill, and is now pending approval...

Thailand has announced that it has plans to allow only zero-emission vehicles from the year 2035 onward. According to a report filed by news agency Hindustan Times on 22 April, the Thai government’s earlier plan was to have electric vehicles (EVs) accounting for 30% of all new vehicle registrations by the end of this decade, with the number now slated to be increased to 50%. The report included a quote by Yossapong Laoonual, honorary chairman of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thai...

The Government of Ireland will adjust its purchase incentives for electric vehicles (EVs) as of 1 July 2021. According to a report filed by Electrive on 20 April, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) are set to have their subsidies slashed by half from EUR5,000 (USD6,022.99) to EUR2,500. However, the subsidies for pure electric vehicles (PEVs) will continue to remain at EUR5,000. Additionally, a new subsidy cap is being introduced for all electrified vehicles from mid-2021. Additionally, EVs ...

The Washington State legislature has passed a legislation that sets a target for all model year 2030 or later passenger and light-duty vehicles sold in Washington state, US, to be electric vehicles (EVs). The new law puts Washington five years ahead of California's target of 2035. According to a press release issued by Coltura on 15 April, the bill now needs to be signed by the Governor of Washington state, Jay Inslee. The US automotive industry has accelerated its shift away from gasoline ca...

The Spanish government has announced Budget Moves III, a new e-mobility subsidy program to encourage electric car sales. The initial budget plan is EUR400 million (USD475 million) until 2023, which can further increase up to EUR800 million based on requirements. The new program aims to improve the charging infrastructure, especially in low-density areas. Private buyers would be entitled to subsidies of up to EUR7,000 per car, while authorities in small towns and companies ...