California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced a $236.5-million settlement with heavy-duty engine manufacturer Hino Motors, Ltd., Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A. Inc. and Hino Motors Sales U.S.A. Inc. (collectively, Hino), a subsidiary of Toyota Motors Corporation. It is part of a larger federal settlement... Read more →

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) reached a settlement agreement with FCA US LLC (FCA) of Auburn Hills, Mich., for $4,185,820 for violations of CARB’s air quality regulations. The FCA vehicles involved in the settlement include model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 Ram ProMaster 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles equipped... Read more →

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided not to proceed with the development of a regulation addressing the manufacture, processing, or distribution in commerce of lead for wheel-balancing weights (lead wheel weights) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This action relates to a citizen petition filed with the Agency... Read more →

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved waivers for two California clean vehicle regulations that will allow the state to implement and enforce its Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulations for light-duty vehicles, and its “Omnibus” low-NOx regulation for heavy-duty highway and off-road vehicles and engines. Under the... Read more →

The US Environmental Protection Agency proposed to strengthen limits on emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from most new, modified, and reconstructed fossil fuel-fired stationary combustion turbines. The proposal would ensure that new turbines built at power plants or industrial facilities—especially large ones that could operate for decades—would be among the... Read more →

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a consent order with Ford Motor Company for failing to comply with federal recall requirements. The consent order includes a civil penalty of $165 million, the second-largest civil penalty in NHTSA’s history. This action follows an investigation that found the company failed to... Read more →

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. The rule facilitates implementation of Congress’s directive in the Inflation Reduction Act to collect a Waste Emissions Charge. Congress established the charge on large emitters of methane if their emissions... Read more →

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced a nearly $82-million penalty in a joint case to address significant air pollution violations by Valero Refining Co. at its Benicia refinery. This penalty is the largest ever assessed in the Air District’s history. More... Read more →

The US Department of the Treasury and the IRS released final rules for the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (Section 45X of the Internal Revenue Code), to spur continued growth of US clean energy manufacturing. The Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit helps to level the playing field for US companies to onshore... Read more →

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a final rule for the qualifications and training that instructors and pilots must have to fly aircraft in the “powered-lift” category—the first completely new category of civil aircraft since helicopters were introduced in the 1940s. Powered lift operations include air taxis, cargo delivery and... Read more →

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and NTEA – The Work Truck Association have filed suit in the US District Court’s Eastern District of California against the California Air Resources Board (CARB), seeking immediate declaratory and injunctive relief to stop electric vehicle mandates CARB intends to implement through its Advanced... Read more →

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the federal government has settled its final Clean Air Act (CAA) claim against Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining and Marketing, LLC (PES) pertaining to the 21 June 2019 fire and explosion at its former South Philadelphia refinery. EPA alleged that the company violated... Read more →

California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) Governing Board recently adopted Rule 2306, otherwise known as the Freight Rail Yards Indirect Source Rule (ISR), which requires rail yard operators to take actions to meet specific emission reductions targets. The rule is expected to reduce NOx emissions associated... Read more →

The new Euro 7 limits, which will apply to newly registered vehicle types from November 2026, will also set particle limits for non-exhaust emissions such as tire and braking systems for the first time. After 2026, these requirements will also become relevant for the aftermarket. As well as setting particle... Read more →

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that General Motors (GM) has agreed to retire approximately 50 million metric tons (megagrams) of greenhouse gas credits to resolve excess CO2 emissions identified through EPA’s light-duty vehicle in-use testing program. This agreement is the result of an EPA investigation that identified excess... Read more →

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) announced that the agency’s independent Hearing Board has ordered Tesla to correct air quality violations at its electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Fremont. A written order is expected to be issued this week. The Air District sought the abatement order to stop... Read more →

The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today issued new vehicle fuel economy standards for model years 2027-2031. In this final CAFE rule, fuel economy will increase 2% per year for model years 2027-2031 for passenger cars, while light trucks will increase 2% per year for model... Read more →

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the end of the California electric vehicle mandate in Virginia, effective at the end of 2024 when California’s current regulations expire. An official opinion from Attorney General Jason Miyares in response to a request by the Governor and Senate Republican Leader Ryan McDougle confirms that... Read more →

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is holding a public workshop to inform potential updates to the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations. Staff will discuss and seek input on several topics, including: A preliminary proposal for regulatory updates to CARB’s light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emission standards. Light- and medium-duty vehicle... Read more →

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized a ban under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) on most uses of methylene chloride (CH2Cl2). (Earlier post.) Methylene chloride, also known as dichloromethane and DCM, is a volatile chemical used in a wide range of industrial, commercial, and consumer applications such... Read more →

The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that will make automatic emergency braking (AEB), including pedestrian AEB, standard on all passenger cars and light trucks by September 2029. NHTSA projects that this new standard, FMVSS No. 127, will... Read more →

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing an emergency fuel waiver to allow E15 gasoline—gasoline blended with 15% ethanol—to be sold during the summer driving season. EPA intends the waiver to provide relief at the pump from ongoing market supply issues created by the ongoing war in Ukraine and... Read more →

The US Department of Energy (DOE) finalized Congressionally-mandated energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers—including liquid-immersed, low-voltage dry-type, and medium-voltage dry-type equipment—to increase the resiliency and efficiency of America’s power grid. Following the release of the proposed rule last year, DOE adjusted the final standards based on extensive stakeholder engagement to... Read more →

Starting in February 2027, all new traction batteries, two-wheeled vehicle batteries and industrial batteries with a capacity of more than 2 kWh that are marketed in the EU will require a digital battery passport. This will also affect LMT (light means of transport) batteries built into electric bicycles and electric... Read more →

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its final rule, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3,” that sets stronger standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty (HD) vehicles beginning in model year (MY) 2027. The new standards will be applicable to HD vocational vehicles (such... Read more →

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking the public for information on the potential ways in which people might be exposed to lead through the use of wheel weights. Lead exposure can have devastating impacts to human health and can be especially harmful to developing children. The Advance Notice... Read more →

Growth Energy, Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, and National Sorghum Producers sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calling on Administrator Michael Regan to act swiftly on an emergency waiver for E15 sales. New and ongoing conflicts across the... Read more →

The European Council adopted the regulation to establish a framework to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials, better known as the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). This is the last step in the decision-making procedure. Following the Council’s approval the European Parliament’s position, the legislative act... Read more →

EPA announced a final rule, Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles, that sets new, more protective standards to further reduce air pollutant emissions from light-duty and medium-duty vehicles starting with model year 2027. The final standards will significantly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases... Read more →

In California, an increase in power sector greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from in-state generation, in recent years is offsetting progress made in the transportation sector, and threatening the state’s goals overall, according to the 15th annual California Green Innovation Index, released by the nonpartisan nonprofit Next 10 and prepared by... Read more →

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a $46-million settlement with engine manufacturer Cummins. The settlement resolves DOJ and CARB’s claims for violations of California engine emissions control and certification requirements. Cummins made undisclosed changes to approximately 120,000 engines in California after CARB had... Read more →

The European Parliament has adopted the deal reached with the Council on the Euro 7 regulation (type-approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles). Vehicles will need to comply with the new standards for longer, ensuring they remain cleaner throughout their lifetime. The vote was 297 in favor, 190 against and... Read more →

Michael Hart of San Diego was arrested on Monday and charged with smuggling greenhouse gases into the United States from Mexico and then selling them for profit. This is the first prosecution in the United States to include charges related to the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 (AIM... Read more →

Made from a mixture of natural and synthetic rubber and plastic polymers, including other chemical components, tires represent a significant source of non-exhaust emissions. Tire abrasion is produced when there is friction with the road surface, for example when vehicles turn, accelerate or brake. Small particles break off from tires... Read more →

As reported by the CO2 refrigeration marketplace R744, the Volkswagen Group plans to convert all mobile air conditioning heat pumps in its battery electric vehicles (BEV) models to CO2 (R744) by 2030. The Group made the statement in a public comment submitted regarding the European PFAS Restriction Proposal. In 2023,... Read more →

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tightened the annual health-based national ambient air quality standard for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from a level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9 micrograms per cubic meter. Along with strengthening the primary annual PM2.5 standard, EPA is modifying the PM2.5 monitoring network... Read more →

Toyota Motor is temporarily suspending shipments of 10 vehicle models equipped with the diesel engines from Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO), which are suffering from “certification irregularities.” Toyota Motor had commissioned TICO to develop diesel engines for automobiles. A special investigation into potential irregularities of certification regulationsfound that irregularities occurred during... Read more →

The European Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on new measures to strengthen CO2 emission reduction targets for new heavy-duty vehicles. Negotiators agreed on CO2 emissions reduction targets of 45% for the period 2030-2034; 65% for 2035-2039; and 90% as of 2040, applying for large trucks (including vocational vehicles,... Read more →

Turkey-based TEMSA, a coach, bus, and light-truck manufacturer operating in 70 countries worldwide, is partnering with Minespider to collect key data, integrate Battery Passports and comply with the new EU Battery Regulation. Minespider is a technology company offering a blockchain-based platform for tracking supply chain data and creating more sustainable... Read more →

Cummins reached an agreement in principle with the United States and State of California to pay a $1.675-billion penalty to settle claims that it violated the Clean Air Act by installing emissions defeat devices on 630,000 model year 2013 to 2019 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup truck engines. The Clean... Read more →

Canada finalized its new Electric Vehicle Availability Standard in support of achieving its national target of 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035. Interim targets are at least 20% of all sales by 2026, and at least 60% by 2030. The regulations define ZEVs as battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) fueled only with... Read more →

The European Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the Euro 7 regulation for the type-approval of motor vehicles and engines, and of the systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, with respect to their emissions and battery durability. The new regulation sets rules... Read more →

Connecticut’s Governor Ned Lamont and Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) withdrew from consideration by the state’s Legislative Regulation Review Committee (LRRC) the proposed Advanced Clean Cars II regulations that would have aligned the state with California ZEV regulations. (Earlier post.) The Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation... Read more →

The rapid adoption of zero-emission electric vehicles will move the nation close to an 80% or more drop in transportation greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 from the 2019 level according to researchers from the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). An open-access paper on the work is... Read more →

RIZON, the newest brand of Daimler Truck, which is offering all-electric class 4 and 5 medium-duty trucks for the US market, has achieved full homologation in the United States, clearing the way for the sale of the electric trucks nationwide. Daimler Truck launched its new electric truck brand in May... Read more →

RIZON, the newest brand of Daimler Truck commercial vehicles (earlier post), has achieved full homologation in the United States, clearing the way for the sale of its Class 4 and 5 medium-duty electric trucks nationwide. With series production underway, the first shipments of vehicles are now arriving in California, where... Read more →

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently reached settlement agreements with several companies for violations of the Aftermarket Parts Regulation as part of its robust and ongoing enforcement efforts to uphold California’s air quality rules. The cases included a settlement agreement with Meyer Distributing Inc. of Jasper, Ind. for $564,250.... Read more →

The California Air Resources Board CARB) released a report showing that truck manufacturers are exceeding targeted sales of zero-emissions vehicles and are now two years ahead of schedule. The annual report tracks how manufacturers are achieving CARB’s regulation that established a phased-in transition toward the sale of 100% zero-emissions medium-... Read more →

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Justice announced a modification to a 2015 consent decree today between the United States and state of Michigan and the Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Corporation (formerly AK Steel) to resolve Clean Air Act violations at the company’s Dearborn, Michigan, steel manufacturing... Read more →

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its final determination that emissions of lead from aircraft that operate on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare under the Clean Air Act. This final endangerment finding does not ban... Read more →