Author: Michael Cartwright

Seven European Union member states have called on Brussels to maintain the core provisions of its upcoming Automotive Package, pushing back against efforts by several countries and political groups to further relax the bloc’s vehicle emissions regulations. France, Spain, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden have jointly urged the European Commission to stay committed to a clear pathway toward vehicle electrification and preserve the planned 2035 zero-emission vehicle target. Seven Countries Defend EU Electrification Strategy In a joint letter obtained by AFP ahead of a meeting of EU environment ministers later this month, the coalition warned that any further…

The European Union’s automotive regulatory package may not be finalized until 2027 as lawmakers continue to debate key elements of the proposed legislation, including electric vehicle quotas for corporate fleets and future carbon dioxide emissions targets for automakers. According to a report by Automobilwoche, the European Parliament is not expected to vote on the package covering the automotive sector and vehicle fleets until November, with political groups remaining divided on several major issues. Industry associations and corporate lobby groups are also continuing to press their positions as negotiations progress. “Everything must be finalised by the end of the first quarter…

Ireland will introduce a new vehicle scrappage programme next month aimed at encouraging motorists to replace older internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The ICE2EV scheme, announced by Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien, will provide grants of up to €5,000 to eligible applicants who scrap older petrol or diesel vehicles and purchase a new battery-electric car. Backed by €10 million from the government’s Climate Action Fund, the programme is scheduled to open on July 1, 2026. Focus on Older Vehicles According to the Department of Transport, the scheme targets vehicles registered in 2013 or earlier, reflecting efforts to…

The European Union’s first standardized methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions from freight and passenger transport entered into force on Thursday, creating a single framework for measuring transport-related emissions across all modes. The CountEmissionsEU regulation is aligned with the international EN ISO 14083:2023 standard and is intended for companies that voluntarily disclose transport emissions. The framework aims to ensure that reported emissions figures are calculated using consistent and verifiable methods, allowing for greater comparability across the transport sector. Common Framework for Emissions Measurement The regulation introduces a door-to-door approach to emissions accounting, covering every stage of a transport journey regardless…

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has agreed a €35 million loan to GreenWay as part of a wider €113 million financing package aimed at expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Poland, the Slovak Republic and Croatia. The investment will support the development, construction and installation of 2,700 fast and ultra-fast public charging points by 2028, helping address a shortage of charging infrastructure in Central Europe and supporting wider adoption of electric vehicles. Charging network expansion targets key transport corridors The new charging points will be located in densely populated areas and along major transport routes, improving access…

France has indicated it is open to discussions on including the United Kingdom in the European Union’s proposed “Made in EU” industrial rules, marking a notable shift from its previous support for stricter local-content requirements under the bloc’s Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA). The comments come as the European Union continues to debate legislation aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers in strategic sectors such as electric vehicles, batteries and clean technologies. Nicolas Forissier, France’s Minister for Trade, said Britain’s exclusion from the proposed framework should be reconsidered because of the close economic ties between the UK…

European lawmakers are considering proposals to phase out tax incentives for combustion-engine company cars and redirect support toward electric vehicles produced in Europe, according to reports from Germany. The proposal, cited by German business newspaper Handelsblatt, is part of ongoing negotiations surrounding the European Commission’s Automotive Package and broader efforts to accelerate transport electrification across the European Union. According to the reported draft proposal prepared by a Social Democratic rapporteur in the European Parliament, EU member states would no longer be allowed to grant tax or financial incentives for company cars powered by fossil fuels beginning in 2028. Instead, tax…

Federal Ministry of Transport has launched a new funding programme to support the procurement of electric and fuel cell buses in Germany, with the government targeting the deployment of around 1,500 additional zero-emission buses nationwide. The ministry said the programme, backed by a budget of up to 500 million euros for 2026, would support battery-electric buses, battery-overhead line buses and fuel cell buses, as well as conversions of conventional buses to zero-emission powertrains. The initiative replaces the previous subsidy directive introduced in 2021, which expired at the end of 2025 and had supported the purchase of roughly 3,000 battery-electric buses.…

U.S. lawmakers have proposed new annual federal fees for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles as part of a broader five-year transportation funding package under consideration in Congress. The proposal is included in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill, also referred to as “BUILD America 250,” a $580 billion highway funding package intended to replace the current federal transport programme before its expiration on Sept. 30. Under the draft legislation, battery-electric vehicle owners would pay an annual federal fee of $130, while plug-in hybrid owners would face a yearly charge of $35. Beginning in 2029, the fees would increase by $5…

The state of California has opened applications for a new incentive program designed to encourage the adoption of electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks, with more than $1 billion in funding expected through 2030. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the launch of the California Clean Fuel Reward (CCFR), a rebate initiative backed by the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Applications for the programme will open on June 26, with $250 million allocated for the first year. The CCFR applies to newly purchased or leased battery-electric Class 2b through Class 8 commercial vehicles. According to programme details, hybrid vehicles, hydrogen fuel-cell…

Spain has announced more than 100 million euros ($109 million) in new funding for electromobility projects, with most of the investment directed toward expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure along key transport corridors. The funding forms part of the country’s broader “España Auto 2030” strategy to accelerate electric mobility and domestic EV production. See also: Stellantis in Talks With Leapmotor to Develop Opel Electric SUV in Spain According to the Spanish government, around 105 million euros from the national Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan will support electromobility projects. Of that amount, approximately 97 million euros will be allocated through the “Moves…

The European Commission has launched a push to increase biofuel use across the European Union, highlighting renewable ethanol as a strategic resource to improve energy security and reduce reliance on fossil oil amid growing geopolitical uncertainty. In a March 31 letter to EU energy ministers, Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen warned that Europe “must be ready for a potentially prolonged disruption of international energy trade.” The Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy added that “increasing the uptake of biofuels could help substitute for fossil petroleum products and alleviate pressure on the market.” The recommendation comes as Europe reassesses its resilience following disruptions in…