Author: Michael Cartwright

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…

The Scottish Government has announced £17.8 million in funding for 2026–27 to support electric vehicle adoption, with a focus on expanding access to charging infrastructure across Scotland. The programme, delivered by Transport Scotland in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust, will support the rollout of charging solutions in public, workplace and residential settings. It will also include targeted measures for rural and island communities, low-income households and those without off-street parking. The funding package covers five key initiatives. A Rural and Island Infrastructure Fund will support the installation of up to 1,000 public charging points in remote areas. A Domestic…

The European Commission has approved a €4.6 billion grant payment request from Germany under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), with measures aimed at accelerating electric vehicle adoption and expanding charging infrastructure, the Commission said. The funding forms part of the European Union’s €750 billion NextGenerationEU recovery programme, launched in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Germany is allocated €30.3 billion under its national Recovery and Resilience Plan (DARP), of which €24.4 billion—around 80%—will have been accessed if the latest payment is finalised. See also: European Parliament Backs Amendment Easing CO₂ Credit Rules For Truck Manufacturers The Commission said…

Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives are preparing to draft a new surface transportation bill that could introduce additional costs for electric vehicle (EV) owners, as policymakers seek to address declining revenues used to fund road infrastructure, according to a report by Reuters. The initiative, led by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves, is expected to take shape in April as part of a broader effort to replace the current transportation law set to expire on September 30. The proposal is anticipated to outline a five-year funding framework totaling between $500 billion and $550 billion. See also:…

The European Parliament has approved an amendment to European Union rules on calculating CO₂ emission credits for heavy-duty vehicles, a move that could ease compliance requirements for truck manufacturers while leaving long-term emissions targets unchanged. Under current EU regulations, manufacturers must reduce emissions from new lorries by 15% by 2025, 45% by 2030, and 90% by 2040, compared with 2019 levels. Companies are pursuing these targets by introducing more battery-electric trucks while also improving the efficiency of internal combustion engine vehicles. The amendment proposed by the European Commission does not revise these targets but changes how compliance is calculated. It…

The European Commission has approved a €200 million ($217 million) Spanish state aid program aimed at strengthening the country’s electric vehicle supply chain and expanding production of key e-mobility technologies. The funding is part of Spain’s broader PERTE industrial program and will support investments in battery manufacturing, hydrogen technologies and critical raw materials used in electric vehicles. Spain required approval from the European Commission before implementing the program under EU state aid rules. The Commission said the measure was “necessary, appropriate and proportionate.” The aid scheme will help companies expand production capacity for electric vehicle battery components and hydrogen-related technologies,…

The government of Ireland has expanded its Zero Emission Heavy Duty Vehicle (ZEHDV) grant scheme in an effort to accelerate the adoption of electric trucks and buses across the country. Under the revised programme, companies can now receive up to €500,000 per year in funding to purchase zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles. Businesses may also access grants of up to €300,000 to install charging infrastructure to support the operation of these fleets. The scheme is funded by the Department of Transport Ireland and administered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland. See also: Ireland Launches €7 Million EV Grant Scheme for Taxi and Hire Vehicles…

The European Council has approved a binding climate target requiring the European Union to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared with 1990 levels. The interim goal, established under the European Climate Law, provides a milestone between the bloc’s previously established targets of cutting emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050 under the European Green Deal. See also: EU Unveils Industrial Accelerator Act to Boost Domestic Manufacturing Under the new rules, up to five percentage points of the 2040 emissions reduction may be achieved through the purchase of international carbon credits beginning…

The European Commission has introduced the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), a policy package designed to expand manufacturing capacity in the European Union and reduce reliance on external suppliers, particularly in strategic industries including automotive, steel and clean technologies. Stéphane Séjourné presented the initiative as part of a broader industrial strategy aimed at boosting domestic production, creating jobs and supporting the development of low-carbon technologies across the EU. If adopted, the legislation would introduce new conditions for major foreign investments and public procurement. Governments providing subsidies or purchasing goods may be required to meet CO₂ and “Made in EU” criteria…

Ireland’s Department of Transport has reopened its Electric Small Public Service Vehicles (eSPSV) Grant Scheme for 2026, allocating €7 million to support the adoption of battery-electric vehicles in passenger transport services. The programme, first introduced in 2018, aims to help operators of taxis, limousines and hackneys transition away from combustion-engine vehicles. Previous funding rounds have allocated a total of about €65 million, supporting the purchase of roughly 3,600 vehicles. This year’s budget is significantly smaller than the €12.5 million provided in 2025, but Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien said the scheme remains an important driver of decarbonization in the sector. “The…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to overhaul the Clean School Bus (CSB) Program, signalling a shift away from the initiative’s strong emphasis on battery-electric buses toward a broader mix of fuel technologies. Introduced in 2021 under former President Joe Biden, the programme has primarily funded electric school buses as part of a push to reduce emissions from the nation’s roughly 480,000-vehicle school bus fleet. The EPA now says it wants to provide school districts with “increased choice and affordable options,” including biofuels, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG/propane), and hydrogen. While these alternatives were…

New York State has withdrawn plans to legalize robotaxi services, dealing a blow to autonomous vehicle operators—particularly Alphabet’s Waymo—which had been seeking entry into the market. Governor Kathy Hochul’s earlier proposal would have allowed companies to apply for licences to run pilot autonomous ride-hailing services, with a pathway toward full commercial deployment. The initiative was widely seen as a critical step for companies aiming to operate on the U.S. East Coast. According to a report by Bloomberg, the governor has now abandoned the plan. Although the original proposal did not include New York City itself, the state remains one of…

The European Commission is preparing legislation that would tie state subsidies for electric vehicles to local production, potentially requiring cars to be assembled within the European Union and source at least 70% of their components from the bloc. The proposal, first reported by Financial Times, is part of a broader effort to strengthen domestic industry amid global competition. Under the draft plan, only battery-electric, hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles built in the EU would be eligible for public purchase incentives, procurement contracts, or leasing schemes funded by governments. In addition, at least 70% of non-battery components would need to originate…

Serbia has resumed its electric vehicle subsidy program after a pause in August 2025, extending financial support beyond passenger cars to include mopeds, motorcycles, three-wheelers, quadricycles, and electric delivery vans. The initiative, administered by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, carries a budget of about 170 million dinars (roughly €1.5 million), similar to the previous year. Grants vary by vehicle category, with battery-electric cars and vans eligible for up to €5,000. Electric motorcycles, three-wheelers, and quadricycles can receive €500, while mopeds and light three-wheelers qualify for €250. Based on these amounts, estimates suggest the funding could support anywhere from a few…