At IAA Transportation 2024 last month, I experienced firsthand the magnetic effect of the “Tesla phenomenon”. Towards the end of a series of keynote speeches delivered by some of the industry’s most important executives, Dan Priestley, who heads the development of Tesla’s heavy electric ‘Semi’ truck, took to the stage to provide an update on the company’s plans for the commercial vehicle segment. I had a place towards the front, having sat through the preceding talks that afternoon, which were reasonably well attended; however, looking behind just before Priestley’s entry to the stage, I saw a new crowd of attendees filling out the entire space.

Mullen is now entirely exempt from export duties and taxes by U.S. customs for any Class 1 and 3 vehicles sold abroad which are produced at the Tunica site.

The ‘Automated Vehicles Act’ (passed on 20 May) will require self-driving vehicles to achieve a safety level “as high as careful and competent drivers” before being allowed onto public roads.

The European Parliament in Brussels has agreed improved Weights and Dimensions Directive rules, moving from an initial 40-tonne heavy-goods gross vehicle weight limit to 44-tonnes. The caveat, however, is that after 2034, these weight exemptions will only apply to zero-emission vehicles.

From 7 July this year, all newly registered vehicles in the European Union must comply with the second tranche of rules known as the ‘General Safety Regulation’ (“GSR II”). These regulations will require all new road vehicles to be installed with more advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) which employ some of the latest innovations being made at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence. These include systems for intelligent speed assistance; reversing detection with cameras and/or sensors; attention warnings in case of driver drowsiness or distraction; event data recorders; and emergency stop signals.

European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has elected Domenico Nucera (President of Iveco Bus) as Chairman of its bus and coach division for the year 2024.

European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has elected Harald Seidel (President of DAF Trucks), as Chairman of the Commercial Vehicle Board for 2024. Seidel will work alongside the ACEA President, Luca de Meo (CEO of Groupe Renault) who is serving in his second one-year term and has been in close consultation with EU policymakers over the now proposed, Euro VII legislation.

According to the Department for Transport, all new sales of cars and vans powered solely by an internal combustion engine (ICE) will be banned by 2035, with heavy-goods vehicles following suit in 2040. This has now become law in the UK, as part of the country's Net Zero Strategy.

Luca de Meo recently unveiled a roadmap for developing a competitive European green mobility ecosystem, co-signed by the heads of Europe’s largest commercial vehicle OEMs. The roadmap, submitted to the EU Parliament and Commission is premised on three pillars of supply, production and demand, encompassing views of all relevant industry stakeholders.