Issues
The U.S. Department of Transportation released the 2022 National Roadway Safety Strategy this week. This zero-fatality road safety strategy is a series of rulemakings from the agency, some of which require state action. One of the most heavily-anticipating rulemakings was a requirement to include automatic emergency braking systems on heavy-duty trucks. In 2020, the Insurance…
The Republican members of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee signed a “Dear Colleague” letter this week opposing the electric vehicle (EV) provisions included in the Build Back Better Act. These provisions include an up to $12,500 tax credit for the purchase of an American-made EV manufactured in a unionized shop. Under this legislation, only two…
President Biden spoke Monday before a meeting with the White House Competition Council about the 2021 Executive Order to Promote Competition. During his remarks, President Biden spoke about the Right to Repair movement, stating: “Too many areas, if you own a product… you don’t have the freedom to choose how or where to repair that…
President Biden spoke virtually at the American Farm Bureau Convention on Monday. During his remarks, President Biden reiterated his support for the right to repair agricultural vehicles. Watch the remarks here:
The U.S. Postal Service released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement last month that analyzes a variety of proposed solutions for new purchases in the postal service fleet. The agency estimates that it would cost $3.3 billion or more to transition the postal service fleet to entirely electric. The proposed Build Back Better Plan would allocate…
Pennsylvania State Transportation Secretary Yasmin Gramian and State Senator Wayne Langerholc, along with 9 cosponsors, introduced SB 965, a bill intended to allow testing of autonomous vehicles (AVs) on PA roads without a driver. Companies such as Argo AI and Locomotion have been developing AV technology in Pennsylvania, and this legislation would allow them to…
The Biden Administration released a final rule on tailpipe standards today, reversing some Trump-era regulations and taking another step in the administration’s ambitious climate policy. The final rule, Reg. 2060-AV13, applies to vehicles model year 2023 through 2026 and requires that automakers make a 10.3 percent improvement in tailpipe emissions by 2026. This final rule…
The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing today on the nomination of Dr. Steven Scott Cliff, who has been tapped to be the administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Dr. Cliff most recently served as the deputy executive officer of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and is currently serving as…
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published guidance this week regarding electric vehicle charging stations within the interstate right-of-way. Federal law prohibits commercial services, including electric vehicle charging stations, within the interstate right-of-way, including rest stops. This serves to enhance the businesses of off-highway communities and towns. NATSO, which represents truckstops and travel plazas, and SIGMA:…
This week, the Biden-Harris Administration released an Electric Vehicle Charging Action Plan that outlines steps federal agencies are taking to support developing and deploying a national network of electric vehicle chargers. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, passed earlier this year, allocated $7.5 billion for electric vehicle charging. The legislation also establishes a joint office of the…