Author: Michael Cartwright

The European Parliament is advancing proposals that could significantly speed up the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure by easing permitting requirements for many high-power charging stations across the European Union. The measures form part of the proposed EU Grid Package, a legislative initiative aimed at accelerating the expansion of electricity networks and clean energy infrastructure needed to support Europe’s electrification goals. Simpler Rules for Fast-Charging Projects Under Parliament’s proposed position, charging stations with a total installed capacity of up to one megawatt built on so-called “artificial structures” would no longer require construction permits. Although the legislation has yet to…

The Netherlands has introduced a distance-based truck toll for heavy commercial vehicles, requiring trucks weighing more than 3.5 tonnes to pay a road usage charge based on the number of kilometres travelled. The new system took effect on 1 July 2026 and applies across almost all Dutch motorways as well as a number of provincial and municipal roads. While battery-electric trucks benefit from significantly lower rates than diesel vehicles, they are not exempt from the new toll. Distance-Based Charging The toll applies to N2 and N3 vehicle categories, covering trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating above 3.5 tonnes. Road…

The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved legislation that would establish the first federal regulatory framework for autonomous commercial motor vehicles operating across state lines. The BUILD America 250 Act, a five-year surface transportation reauthorization proposal, was advanced by the committee in a bipartisan 62-2 vote and includes a dedicated section focused on the safe integration of autonomous commercial vehicles into the national transportation system. If enacted, the legislation would create a nationwide regulatory structure for automated commercial trucking operations, replacing the current patchwork of state-level requirements. National Safety Standard for Autonomous Trucks The bill directs the U.S.…

The European Commission is preparing to impose countervailing duties on plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) imported from China, according to a report by German newspaper Handelsblatt, as Brussels seeks to address what it sees as a regulatory gap in its trade measures against Chinese automakers. The move would expand the European Union’s trade actions beyond battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), which have faced additional tariffs since October 2024 following an EU investigation into Chinese state subsidies. Existing Tariffs Target Battery-Electric Vehicles The EU introduced additional duties on Chinese-made battery-electric vehicles on October 31, 2024, after concluding that government support provided to Chinese manufacturers…

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.…