The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), based in Brussels, has agreed a set of new labels for electric vehicles and charging stations for certifying compliance with the EU Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels and infrastructure (2014/94/EU). The new labels will start to be used throughout Europe as of March 20 this year.

Alexander Dennis Ltd of Larbert, part of NFI Group, has secured a further 172 electric bus orders through the Scottish Government’s award of GBP40.5m in funding to bus operators through a second round of the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme.

Omnitek Engineering Corporation (Omnitek) of Vista, California, USA has received Euro VI Phase-E certification for its OT13 heavy-duty natural gas engine.

A European Union consortium consisting of 25 leading organisations in the hydrogen sector has been established to define, develop and test the first European standard for fuel cell modules for heavy duty applications.

Paris-based Forsee Power, producer of smart battery systems for electro-mobility markets, has secured a loan of EUR50m from the European Investment Bank (EIB) taking finance borrowings in 2020 and to date to EUR105m for investment and in support of its growth into new electromobility markets and geographies.

‘China’s relaxation of foreign investment restrictions in auto industry (including lowering import tariffs on vehicles) will provide better access for international automakers to the world's biggest car (and commercial vehicle) market and provide a more level playing field for international automakers to compete with Chinese automakers.' - KWM

FPT Industrial is leading a Swiss-funded project aimed at reaching European CO2 emission targets* in 2025 and 2030 by making use of alternative fuels and e-fuels* as possible paths to addressing these challenges.

India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced it is to levy a pollution tax or ‘Green Tax’ on older petrol and diesel vehicles.

The Board of Directors of the Ministry of Education of the Brazilian Government, on January 6, 2021, has indefinitely stopped the competitive tender for the supply of 6,900 buses under the Caminho da Escola Program (Federal School Bus Programme).

Horiba MIRA Ltd has invested GBP1.5m installing a new Large Climatic Vibration Laboratory and Battery Abuse Facility at its Nuneaton Proving Ground.

Daimler AG and its subsidiary, Mercedes-Benz USA LLC, have moved toward resolution of various diesel emissions proceedings with the U.S. regulatory authorities - Environmental Protection Agency, the California Air Resources Board, the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, the California Attorney General’s Office, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

First announcing this development at Busworld 2019 in Brussels last year, Solaris Bus & Coach SA says it is now fitting the Collision Mitigation System intelligent braking support system in the Solaris urban bus range.