KEY NEWS 1/4 — European Union
EU Imposes Provisional Duties on Chinese Electric Vehicles over Unfair Subsidies
The European Commission has announced provisional measures against the importation of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from China, following its conclusion that the value chain for these products in the Asian country benefits from unfair subsidies. According to the EU's investigation, Chinese BEV producers are receiving unfair financial support that could economically harm European manufacturers.
Specifically, the Commission has disclosed that it will impose provisional countervailing duties on BEV imports from China, with individual rates ranging from 17.4% to 38.1% for the three sampled producers. Additionally, cooperating but unsampled Chinese BEV producers will face a weighted average duty of 21%, while non-cooperating producers will be subject to a residual duty of 38.1%.
The stated aim of these measures is to level the playing field between EU and Chinese industries by removing any unfair competitive advantage stemming from the questioned subsidies. The Commission emphasizes that its intention is not to close the European market to BEV imports but rather to ensure fair conditions for all sector participants.
Following the announcement, sampled companies will have the opportunity to comment on and verify the calculations of their individual duties before the Commission publishes the official regulations in the Official Journal of the EU. These provisional measures will come into force the day after their publication, and the Commission will continue to engage with Chinese authorities to address these issues in a manner consistent with WTO rules.
The complete investigation is expected to conclude within 13 months from its initiation, with definitive measures to be implemented within 4 months following the imposition of provisional duties.
KEY NEWS 2/4 — European Union
Road Safety Priorities for the EU 2024-2029
The European Union has set a target to reduce road deaths by 50% by 2030, but current trends suggest that deaths will only decrease by 25%. There were 20,400 road deaths in the EU last year, just 1% lower than the previous year. While this marks a 10% reduction since 2019, the baseline year for the 2030 target, the downward trend has stalled in several member states and increased in others.
At the European level, there is an urgent need for strong leadership and decisive action on road safety to realign efforts. The briefing outlines ETSC's priorities ahead of the new EU parliamentary and commission mandates. It is crucial that newly appointed decision-makers promptly identify key areas for action to address the ongoing challenges in road safety.
KEY NEWS 3/4 — US
Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks for Model Years 2027-2031 and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Heavy-Duty Pickup Trucks and Vans for Model Years 2030-2035 - NHTSA Adoption
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on behalf of the Department of Transportation (DOT), has finalized the adoption of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light trucks, as well as fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans (HDPUVs) spanning multiple model years.
For model years 2027-2031, passenger car CAFE standards will increase annually by 2%, while there will be no increase for light trucks in model years 2027-2028 and a 2% annual increase in model years 2029-2031. Additionally, fuel efficiency standards have been set for HDPUVs to increase by 10% per year for model years 2030-2032 and by 8% per year for model years 2033-2035.
The final rule considered a range of regulatory alternatives for each fleet, in accordance with NHTSA’s obligations under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Executive Order 12866. Five regulatory alternatives were evaluated for passenger cars and light trucks, along with four for HDPUVs, including a No-Action Alternative.
These measures will take effect on August 23/2024, marking a significant step towards implementing stricter standards to enhance fuel economy and efficiency in vehicles within the U.S. market.
KEY NEWS 4/4 — GB
A vision for Great Britain type approval
The UK is working to establish its own approval framework to ensure flexibility, foster innovation, and drive progress in the automotive sector. This framework is guided by three key principles:
- Firstly, standardization through the UNECE. The UK aims to balance cost reduction benefits with the opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the international regulatory discourse.
- Secondly, a flexible approach to recognizing standards and testing from other parts of the world. The UK will analyze standards from various countries to identify those that can also be adopted, allowing manufacturers to seek approval in multiple markets using a single test report.
- Lastly, exploring the potential for bespoke domestic requirements or processes that benefit Great Britain. The UK intends to leverage its domestic legislation, for instance, to facilitate the introduction of new technologies.
These measures underscore the UK's commitment to modernizing and adapting its regulatory frameworks to drive innovation and sustainability in the global automotive market.
You can get more information related to these highlights in our Regulatory Monitoring Reports Service.
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