The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued formal guidance July 1 affirming that vehicle owners and independent repair professionals may repair their vehicles’ emissions systems under the Clean Air Act, reiterating manufacturers’ obligations to make emissions-related service information, diagnostic tools, training materials and reprogramming capabilities available to independent repair shops, tool companies and vehicle owners. The […]
Automotive Recyclers Association Welcomes ‘Freedom to Fix’ Memo, Renews Push on Recycled Catalytic Converters
The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) welcomed the presidential memorandum on emissions-related repairs that President Donald Trump signed June 29, casting it as federal recognition of the role replacement parts play in lowering repair costs and using the moment to renew its push for clearer rules on the reuse of recycled catalytic converters. The memorandum, titled […]
Trump ‘Freedom to Fix’ Memorandum Directs EPA to Expand Aftermarket Emissions Repair Options
Aftermarket groups and the vehicle manufacturers’ lobby both claimed the directive as a win, splitting over whether the existing 2014 industry repair agreement is enough. President Donald J. Trump signed a presidential memorandum titled “Lowering the Cost of Living by Promoting the Freedom to Fix” on June 29, directing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to […]
Solera Partners With PPG to Track Vehicle Repair Emissions
Partnership will help European collision repair shops comply with reporting regulations. Solera has formed a partnership with PPG (NYSE:PPG) to integrate carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions tracking data into vehicle repair processes, the companies announced today. The collaboration will incorporate PPG’s automotive refinish coatings into Solera’s Sustainable Estimatics platform, allowing body shops to measure carbon dioxide […]
California Delays Zero-Emission Truck Mandate, Scales Back Fleet Requirements
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved amendments September 25 to its Advanced Clean Fleet regulation, delaying zero-emission vehicle purchase requirements for public fleets by three years and repealing portions that applied to federal and private operators. The changes extend the 50% zero-emission vehicle purchase requirement by three years and push the 100% purchase mandate […]
Commercial Vehicle Industry Prevails in Lawsuit Against California Advanced Clean Fleets Rule
On May 15, courts accepted an agreement in a lawsuit, which requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to repeal the High-Priority and Drayage provisions of the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule. This rule would have required the affected fleets to purchase increasing percentages of zero-emission trucks. California has agreed that the lawsuit, filed jointly […]
Maryland Governor Pauses Enforcement of Zero-Emissions Vehicle Rules Amid Industry Pushback
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has an issued Executive Order delaying near-term enforcement of the state’s environmental regulations modeled on Calfornia’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) and Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rules. The move comes amid mounting pressure from vehicle manufacturers and infrastructure concerns as the state timeline to implement those emissions rules. The ACC […]
SEMA Coalition of 335 Automotive Businesses Urges Congress to Block California’s ICE Vehicle Ban
A coalition of 335 small automotive businesses, led by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), has called on Congressional leadership to stop California’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation, which would effectively ban internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in the state by 2035. In a letter addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate […]
Federal Agency Says Congress Can’t Overturn California Vehicle Emissions Rules Through Review
The Automotive Service Association reported that the Government Accountability Office (GAO), independent federal agency that provides auditing, evaluative, and investigative services to the U.S. Congress, released a report revealing its opinion that Congress does not have the authority under the Congressional Review Act to overturn California’s more stringent automotive emissions regulations. In December, when Joe […]
Trump Rescinds Biden Administration EV Mandate in Executive Order
SEMA applauds effort, calls on EPA to send California Clean Air Act waivers granted in December for Congressional Review. Auto Alliance calls for single national emission standard. In an Executive Order signed on his first day in office, President Trump stated it is the policy of his Administration to remove regulatory barriers put in place […]