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...

In a recent session with the Maine Right to Repair (R2R) Working Group, automotive professionals from Maine, a state in the New England region of the US, including four technicians and a collision repair shop owner, discussed issues surrounding access to original equipment manufacturer repair information, according to a report by Repairer Driven News dated Oct. 1. The group, established following a law passed in November 2023, is tasked with creating a standardized telematics platfo...

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 Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has announced that it is actively encouraging the government to fulfill its manufacturing funding commitments to bolster the automotive manufacturing industry's growth and competitiveness, according to a press release dated Sept. 3. Despite the initial optimism spurred by the announcement of the A$15 billion National Reconstruction Fund and the subsequent A$22.7 billion Future Made in Australia Fund, the industry has been left in l...

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Aug. 29 that California has achieved a milestone of installing over 150,000 chargers across the state, comprising 137,648 Level 2 and 14,708 fast chargers. This development follows closely on the heels of California recording its second-highest market share in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales, he said. Furthermore, the state is set to receive upward of $380 million from President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand its charging in...

The Auto Care Association, a US-based industry body representing independent manufacturers, distributors and repair shops, announced that it has initiated a proactive campaign named "#RighttoRepair, RIGHT NOW" to mobilize its members and the broader auto care community in advocating for the right to repair legislation, according to a press release dated Aug. 20. This campaign is a call to action for all members to contact their legislators by sending letters that demand immediate progres...

California has launched its Vehicle Safety Systems Inspections Program as a result of AB 471, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021, which mandated the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) to establish and commence the inspection program by Jan. 1 of the current year, according to a release by CAWA, a US-based association representing the automotive parts industry. Following the law's passage, BAR engaged with the collision repair industry through multiple public workshops to gather input...

Continental has announced that its tire plant located in Púchov, Slovakia, has marked a significant achievement by being the first of the company's truck tire manufacturing facilities to be awarded the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS, according to a press release dated July 10. This certification is globally acknowledged for its emphasis on the traceability of raw materials used in the production process, ensuring the materials are sourced from sustainable o...

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 Auto Care Association, a US-based industry body representing independent manufacturers, distributors and repair shops, has announced latest updates to the Auto Care Vehicle Information Portal (VIP), according to a press release dated May 20. The VIP platform allows users to both manage and download the Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard (ACES) and Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES) supporting relational databases, enabling companies to get the right part, to the right place, at ...

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 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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

In order to ease the labor force challenges in Australia, the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) is looking to understand what are the circumstances that would encourage retired master technicians to come back into the workshop on a part-time, part-day basis to make a unique contribution to the industry while at the same time, bringing their wisdom and experience to educate junior technicians, according to a press release dated September 18. This labor shortage is one of the...

UK aftermarket industry body, the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF), announced that it has joined other global association leaders to support the critical global Right to Repair movement by signing the new right-to-repair position statement, according to a press release dated August 11. “The statement enumerates the core beliefs of the movement and the objectives and intended outcomes of right to repair legislation. The document sets out [10] best practice principles...

The Auto Care Association, a US-based industry body representing independent manufacturers, distributors and repair shops, announced in a press release dated July 24 that it has appointed Jennifer Keaton as its new director of Government Affairs. Keaton will work within a four-person department advocating on behalf of the automotive aftermarket with federal and state legislators as well as relevant regulatory agencies. The association said her role is critical in ensuring the management of st...

UK independent garages have responded enthusiastically to last week’s announcement that they will be able to access Security-related Repair and Maintenance Information (SERMI) using the same framework as their EU counterparts, thanks to agreements reached by the Independent Garage Association (IGA) in a press release July 11. The IGA reported that garages were getting in touch in large numbers to register their interest in the scheme, which will transform the way garages and workshops ...

The Automotive Service Association (ASA), the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation have released an agreement on automotive right-to-repair in a press release July 11. The agreement highlights the crucial importance of the fight for consumer choice and a fair market in automotive repair access and demonstrates that stakeholders can and should collaborate to find a solution that is in the best interests of the motoring public and the ma...

FIEV, or the French trade association of OEMs, garage equipment manufacturers, and all other providers of automotive solutions, has announced the addition of ten new members, according to a press release dated 23 June. They include Acerta, Ateq, Borgwarner, Carmoov Energy, Daf Conseil, Mann Hummel Filtration, Muller Automotive, Provac, RAV France and Qwello. Acerta provides OEMs and automotive manufacturers with a predictive quality solution to reduce scrap rates, improve defect detectio...

Negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council of the EU reached an agreement June 28 on the Data Act legislation, which will regulate how data generated by connected objects can be accessed and shared, according to a press release from the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (Comité de Liaison Européen des Fabricants d'Equipements et de Pièces Automobiles: CLEPA) dated June 28. Automotive technology is rapidly advancing, with vehicles generating and collecting ever...

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...

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...

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...

VDA or the German Association of the Automotive Industry said in a press release dated 15 February that around 9 out of 10 companies (88%) consider Germany to be internationally uncompetitive in terms of energy costs, labor, and tax burden. The finding was part of its survey among automotive suppliers and medium-sized manufacturers conducted from 23 January to 3 February. VDA said 116 companies took part in the survey. VDA President Hildegard Müller said, "More and more companies consider Ge...

The US government announced the next steps to bolster its electric vehicle (EV) charging industry and infrastructure, a government statement on 15 February read. The next steps include publishing minimum standards for federally funded EV infrastructure, finalizing the Build America, Buy America initiatives for EV charging equipment, and announcing that cities, towns, Tribes, and states will soon be able to apply for the first round of USD2.5 billion in competitive grants to build EV charging sta...

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...

CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, has announced that it believes access to in-vehicle data requires the urgent introduction of regulatory guidance, according to a press release dated 8 February. The urgency was also recently outlined by the Independent Service Providers (ISPs) group in a letter sent to the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, CLEPA said. CLEPA believes the continued delay risks access to the untapped potential in creating real competitio...

US tire manufacturer, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, announced in a press release dated 27 January that it is implementing cost savings actions in response to a challenging industry environment and cost pressure driven by inflation. It said planned rationalization and workforce reorganization would result in an approximately 5% reduction in salaried staff globally, or about 500 positions. The company said its global replacement tire industry demand remained weak in the fourth quarter...

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...

The European Union can end its reliance on China for lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery cells by 2027, renewable energy campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E) has forecast, according to a press release dated 24 January. New analysis of battery-makers’ announcements suggest that Europe is on track to produce enough Li-ion cells by 2027 to fully meet domestic demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage, the release added. However, the group cautioned that the EU needs a policy ...

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, SEMA and Performance Racing Industry (PRI) have announced in a statement that despite strong Congressional backing and extraordinary support from the racing community, the 2021–22 Congressional session is ending without passage of the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act, according to a press release dated 22 December. The RPM Act is a legislation to protect Americans' right to convert street vehicles into dedicated race cars and the motorsports...

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...

The European Parliament and Council reached an agreement on 27 October ensuring all new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles registered in Europe will be zero-emission by 2035, according to an official press release dated 27 October issued by the European Commission, who welcomed the agreement. As an intermediary step towards zero emissions, the new carbon dioxide (CO2) standards will also require average emissions of new cars to come down by 55% by 2030, and new vans by 50% by 2030. ...

The UK Alliance for the Freedom of Car Repair (AFCAR) has announced that it has opened a route for garages to highlight restricted access to OEMs' data, according to a released dated 15 July by the UK aftermarket industry body, Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF). Garages can access an online survey form floated by UK AFCAR, a coalition representing automotive trade associations and commercial organizations that formed in 2021 to lobby the UK government on upho...

Auto Care Association, a US-based industry body representing independent manufacturers, distributors, and repair shops said in a press release dated 1 July that the United States District Judge Douglas Woodlock issued a notice informing of another delay to provide a decision on the Right to Repair court case in Massachusetts. Citing “the need to consider fully the implications of the long-anticipated decision” and “unforeseen and unforeseeable scheduling complications encountered in the...

FIGIEFA, the international federation of independent automotive aftermarket distributors announced that its Independent Service Providers (ISPs) group recently had a very positive exchange with European Commission Commissioner Thierry Breton on how the DataAct and forthcoming sector-specific regulation can create the space for rapid vehicle-generated data innovation in the European automotive and mobility eco-system, according to a statement dated 23 June. FIGIEGA’s members representing 4.5...

Blink Charging Co, a US-based owner, operator, and provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment and services, said via a press release dated 14 June that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire SemaConnect, Inc., a provider of EV charging infrastructure solutions in North America, for USD200 million, subject to certain customary adjustments for working capital. The cash and common stock transaction will add nearly 13,000 EV chargers to Blink’s existing footprint, an additional ...

Germany-based ATU, a master vehicle workshop for all brands, and Allego, a Netherlands-based provider of EV charging solutions in Europe, have signed a contract to equip 400 additional ATU branch locations with e-charging stations, according to a press release by ATU dated 31 May. The gradual expansion of the charging network for the whole of Germany will begin this year, the release added. The contract provides for the construction of fast charging stations at a further 400 ATU branches with...

VDA or the German Association of the Automotive Industry, said that Germany still has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to expanding the publicly accessible charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs), according to a press release dated 13 June. The VDA believes that the gap between the charging infrastructure and the number of e-cars has continued to grow and the same is reflected in the newly published update of its e-charging network ranking. According to the update, there a...

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 ...

CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, reiterated the need for a sector-specific legislation to ensure fair and equal access for all providers to create a competitive market for the benefit of consumers, according to a press release dated 3 June. The discussion on access to in-vehicle data was one of the topics in focus at the 13th edition of its annual Aftermarket Conference held from 1–2 June in Brussels. Other topics included mobility use cases and dataplaces, according to...

Autopromotec, the international exhibition of automotive equipment and aftermarket industry held every two years in Bologna, Italy, recently concluded its 2022 chapter held between 25–28 May, according to an official event announcement. The event saw significant participation from foreign exhibitors with a total of 42 countries represented. According to the release, the strong international importance of the event was reflected in a record number of foreign delegates which stood at 180 from...

FIGIEFA, the international federation of independent automotive aftermarket distributors, has called on its members to comply with the sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries on Russia or Belarus, according to a statement dated 9 May. The distributor body said the safest and most effective way to ensure compliance with the sanctions is to cease all commercial activities with Russia and Belarus and it urged all operators in the automotiv...

UK’s apex motor industry body Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has expressed concern over the UK lawmaker’s proposal to shift the annual vehicle check from annual to biannual, according to an official SMMT statement released on 27 April. In the statement, Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive said that extending MOT intervals could cast a shadow over the safety of the vehicles at a time when vehicle miles driven are increasing. According to Sky News, UK PM Boris Johnson hel...

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...

Auto Care Association, a US-based industry body representing independent manufacturers, distributors, and repair shops, in a press release dated 18 April announced that United States District Judge Douglas Woodlock issued a notice on 15 April, informing of another delay to provide a decision on the Right to Repair court case in Massachusetts. Citing “the resurgence of a demanding criminal trial schedule, resumption of long delayed in-court non-trial proceedings coupled with insistent writin...

Auto Care Association, a US-based industry body representing independent manufacturers, distributors, and repair shops, in a press release dated 13 April welcomed US Representative Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) for co-sponsoring the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair’ Act (REPAIR Act). The Association was joined by Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), CAR (Consumer Access to Repair) Coalition, and Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) in applauding Davi...

The UK Alliance for the Freedom of Car Repair (AFCAR), a coalition comprising automotive trade associations and commercial organizations, formed in 2021 to lobby the UK government on upholding the rights of the independent aftermarket and consumers in the post-Brexit era has pushed for aftermarket inclusion in the ongoing vehicle tampering debate, according to a released dated 8 April by the UK aftermarket industry body, Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF). The UK Government is ...

A broad coalition representing a wide range of major automotive aftermarket stakeholders, as well as operators in the mobility services value chain, consumers, the insurance and the tire industries has welcomed the European Commission’s proposal for a European Union’s (EU) Data Act, according to a press release on FIGIEFA, the international federation of independent automotive aftermarket distributors, dated 23 February. However, the coalition believes the Act will not be sufficient on its o...

Perrone Robotics, a US-based provider of fully autonomous vehicle technology, announced via a press release dated 30 March that its collaboration partner Roush Industries, a provider of engineering, testing, prototype, and manufacturing services to the transportation sector, has completed the first phase of the integration of Perrone’s TONY autonomous vehicle retrofit kit. The new fully autonomous, zero-emissions, electric prototype will be the model for a large-volume production process th...

ACMA Automechanika, New Delhi, India, the exhibition of auto parts, auto components and products for car aftersales service, is scheduled to be held from 1–3 February, 2024 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, according to a press release dated 7 March. The announcement was made by event organizers Messe Frankfurt India, the Indian arm of German trade fair, congress and event organizer Messe Frankfurt, and India’s apex component industry body Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India ...

Auto Care Association, a US-based industry body representing independent manufacturers, distributors, and repair shops said in a press release dated 8 March that the United States District Judge Douglas Woodlock issued a notice informing of a delay to provide a decision on the court case due to “unforeseen and unforeseeable circumstances, principally involving supervening but insistent writing responsibilities in other matters”. The battle over access to vehicle repair information has bee...

Messe Frankfurt, the organizer of Automechanika Moscow 2022, has announced its decision to suspend all events of its Russian subsidiary Messe Frankfurt RUS until further notice, according to an official statement released on 2 March 2022. The annual aftermarket and aftersales trade show was scheduled to be held from 22–25 August 2022 in Moscow, Russia at Expocentre Moscow. “The Russian invasion of Ukraine poses an unprecedented threat to peaceful coexistence in Europe. Messe Frankfurt sup...

Barcelona-based provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging and energy management solutions, Wallbox, and Polaris, a powersports company, have announced a new partnership in the US and Canada, according to a press release dated 22 February. Under the partnership, Polaris will sell the 40 Amp version of Wallbox's Pulsar Plus charger directly to its off-road EV customers, according to the release. The news follows Polaris’ recent launch of the all-electric 2023 RANGER XP Kinetic, which is expecte...

Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, an automaker and a mobility provider based in the Netherlands, has announced that it intends to grow its aftermarket revenue by more than 50% by 2030. The announcement was part of its ‘Dare Forward 2030’ strategy, a long-term vision for the business, that was revealed at an event held in Amsterdam, Netherlands on 1 March. To achieve an overall 50% growth in aftermarket revenues, the company is targeting a 4x growth in its turnover from ...

The automotive Right to Repair movement in the US gained further traction as US Representative Bobby Rush introduced the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act on 3 February with an aim to ensure equal access to auto repair data for independent repair shops, according to an official announcement by Rush’s office dated 3 February. This legislation would preserve consumer access to high quality, affordable vehicle repair by ensuring that, vehicle owners and indepen...

India on Saturday, 15 January proposed mandating at least six airbags in all M1 category vehicles (passenger vehicles that comprise not more than eight seats inclusive of the driver) that are manufactured from 1 October, according to a Nikkei news report dated 16 January. The government wants automakers to provide two side air bags and two curtain air bags, to protect those seated in the rear seats, in addition to the already required two airbags for all vehicles. The side air bags are to "he...

The Swedish arm of the Alliance for the Freedom of Car Repair in the EU (AFCAR), along with the trade associations SBF (Association of Swedish Wholesalers of Automotive Parts and Accessories) and SFVF (Swedish Vehicle Workshop Association), recently met with the Swedish Transport Agency to discuss the importance of a law regulating access to vehicle data for the workshops, according to a press release by SBF dated 17 January. AFCAR is a lobby group that seeks to ensure the right of independen...

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has announced that the highly anticipated implementation of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme took a step forward on 16 December with the inaugural board meeting of the Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority (AASRA), according to a press release dated 16 December. The new law requires the operation of an industry body to implement the secure data release model and the program that supports ele...

According to an official press release dated 9 December, the European Commission has approved a EUR3 billion (USD3.3 billion) Spanish scheme under EU State aid rules to support research, development, and innovation (RD&I), as well as environmental protection and energy efficiency measures of companies in the value chain for electric and connected vehicles. The measure will assist Spain in hastening the transition to more sustainable and connected mobility while not unduly distorting compe...

MARELLI announced its roadmap to become carbon neutral within its operations (Scope 1 and Scope 2) by 2030, it said in a press release on 30 November. The company will reflect its vision of a carbon neutral operations specialist through measures aimed at minimizing energy consumption and neutralizing emissions. Beda Bolzenius, president and CEO of MARELLI said, "This is a first step for MARELLI in outlining firm plans to reduce our overall carbon emissions. Our next step will be to define cle...

In an announcement on 15 November, the California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved a three-year, USD1.4-billion plan aimed at helping California achieve the 2025 electric vehicle (EV) charging and hydrogen refueling goals. According to the CEC announcement, the three-year plan closes the funding gap to speed up California’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure build-out in support of Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order phasing out the sale of new gasoline-powered passenger v...

Electric light commercial vehicle manufacturer, Electric Last Mile Solutions, Inc. (ELMS) has announced a partnership with electric vehicle (EV) charging network provider EVgo in the United States, the company said in a press release on 4 November. ELMS said that its partnership with EVgo combines best-in-class charging solutions with zero-emissions commercial EVs. Notably, EVgo is the first charging solutions company to partner with ELMS, which plans to build a charging ecosystem that suppor...

Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) has extended the funding for private charging stations for electric cars in residential buildings by a further EUR300 million (USD349 million), according to a Green Car Congress report filed on 25 October. “A total of 800 million euros in federal funds are now available for this,” it said referring to the wall box EV chargers. The German government provides a grant of EUR900 (USD1,047) for the purchase and install...

Klarius Products, a UK-based manufacturer of replacement exhausts, CATs, and DPFs said that the company is prepared to meet the increase in demand due to the expected surge in Ministry of Transport (MOT) tests in the UK in September–October period, according to a company release on 28 September. To meet the demand, Klarius said it has the range and availability in place to enable distributors and stockists to quickly support garages with replacement aftermarket emissions products. The compa...

Making an announcement on 1 October, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) said that it is starting the tender for the Germany network for which new companies and their consortiums can compete for the bid to set up and operate electric vehicle (EV) chargers across around 900 fast-charging locations throughout Germany. The Germany network aims to provide EV charging facilities with fast charging infrastructure in medium and long-haul traffic with around 8,...

Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor Group has announced the roll out of an e-mobility pilot program in Singapore in partnership with SP Group and Komoco Motors with an aim to enhance electric vehicle (EV) ownership and aftersales experience of customers. In a press release dated 25 September, the company said the program is designed to identify real-world customer concerns and requirements and establish a robust EV ecosystem in the city. Hyundai has earmarked 50 Ioniq EVs for a group of an equ...

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...

UK government–backed UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has sanctioned a further investment of USD14 million (GBP10 million) from the Faraday Battery Challenge to support collaborative R&D projects mainly focusing on electric vehicle (EV) battery technologies, it said in a press release on 27 July. To build a capable EV battery ecosystem in the UK, 17 projects are identified that are working on making EV batteries safer, more powerful, cheaper, faster charging, and easier to recycle. The...

Stuttgart-based manufacturer of powertrain technologies, MAHLE has secured funding from the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology as part of the ‘New Vehicle and System Technologies’ program, the company said in a press release on 22 July. The said program is a three-year project, which aims to convert a few undisclosed units of light commercial vehicles of Ford-make with conventional internal combustion engines (ICE) to hydrogen operation, it said. The company said that ...

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...

Grab Singapore has released its 2030 Transport Sustainability Goal, which entails the ride-hailing and transport company to target its full fleet running on cleaner energy by 2030, the company said in a press release on 7 July. “This goal is set as part of the broader GrabForGood initiative that seeks to positively impact three core groups —People, Partners, and the Planet,” it said in an official statement. The company has unveiled the JustGrab Green pilot and Green Program, wh...

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has launched an ambitious plan called ‘Full Throttle: Driving UK Automotive Competitiveness’, which studies and makes recommendations to secure the interests of the automotive industry in UK, the trade association said in a press release on June 29. Commissioned by SMMT, the report puts out some bold policy recommendations for this year and the decade, covering critical aspects key to the auto industry’s competitiveness. While the...

The Union government of India has extended its electric vehicle (EV) subsidy scheme named Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) by another two years till 31 March 2024, according to a notification issued in the Central government’s Gazette of India on 25 June. “Now with the approval of the competent authority, it is decided that FAME India Phase II scheme is extended for a period of two years i.e. up to 31 March 2024," the Ministry of Heavy Industries an...

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), which represents 15 major Europe-based vehicle manufacturers including BMW, Volkswagen, Daimler, Renault, JLR, and Stellantis, has released findings of its new data analysis on electric vehicle (EV) charging points across the European Union (EU). “A new data analysis shows a completely unbalanced picture when it comes to the spread of charging points for electric cars across the European Union,” ACEA said in a press re...

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...