Legislation | Power Systems Research

2025-09-13

Truck Demand Expected To Remain Soft into 2026

How things have changed. Less than a year ago the industry was gearing up for a huge 2026 class 8 truck pre-buy ahead of the phase 3 GHG emission regulations that would add significant cost to the price of a truck. Road freight was expected to rebound after the post covid freight recession, and the heavy truck replacement cycle was expected to begin. OEMs filled dealer lots in anticipation of strong demand starting in early to mid-2025 and lasting through all of 2026.

As a result of very strong freight shipments and supply chain disruptions during the Covid era, fleets were purchasing as many trucks as possible which resulted in very high truck sales from 2022 – 2024. This resulted in truck overcapacity within the market.

Categories: Commercial Vehicles, Legislation, North America, Production

Office: United States Offices

Sharing of EV Battery Data Supported by METI

Akihiro Komuro

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry says it will support the development of an industry-wide system for sharing information on the degradation status of EV batteries. Toyota and Honda will provide battery-related data to used car dealers, insurance companies and others. The aim is to prevent the export of used EVs overseas and enable the domestic utilization of batteries containing critical minerals.

Currently, battery degradation is difficult to assess, resulting in low trade-in prices for used EVs in the domestic market. The fact that approximately 80% were exported overseas was a cause for concern.

Categories: Alternative Power, Batteries, Japan, Legislation, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production

Office: Japan Office

New GST Is Game Changer for Autos, Tractors

Aditya Kondejkar

The September 2025 GST Council meeting introduced sweeping tax revisions that significantly lower GST rates across multiple vehicle and farm equipment categories. Tractors and their components now attract a 5% rate (from 12% for standard tractors, and from 18% for parts), while small cars, two-wheelers (up to 350cc), three-wheelers, buses, and certain commercial vehicles are enjoying reduced GST from 28% to 18%.

These changes are expected to improve affordability, stimulate demand (especially in rural and semi-urban areas), boost manufacturing and ancillary industries, and lead to job growth across the value chain.

Source: The Times of India. Read The Link

Categories: Agricultural, Indian Subcontinent, Legislation, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production, Sales

Office: India Office

2025-08-26

GST Reform Is Big Opportunity for OEMs

Aditya Kondejkar

India is preparing for one of its biggest tax reforms in recent years, targeting the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure. If approved, the proposal will slash GST on small cars and two-wheelers from 28% to 18% and reduce GST on insurance premiums to between 5% and zero. The change, expected around Diwali, has the potential to reshape production planning and sales strategies for automobile manufacturers.

Source: Reuters. Read The Article

Impact on Small Cars and Two-Wheelers. Small cars and two-wheelers have traditionally been the backbone of India’s automobile industry, serving middle-class buyers who are highly price sensitive. However, in recent years, growth in these categories has slowed as buyers shifted toward SUVs, which now account for nearly half of passenger vehicle sales. By lowering taxes, the government aims to make small cars and two-wheelers more affordable, correcting the imbalance in demand and giving OEMs in these categories a much-needed boost.

Categories: Commercial Vehicles, Indian Subcontinent, Legislation, Motorcycles, Recreational Products, Sales

Office: India Office

2025-08-16

Vietnam Shifts To EV Motorcycles

Akihiro Komuro

Vietnam, a country known for its large number of motorcycles, is experiencing controversy over its electric vehicle policy. The policy bans gasoline-powered motorcycles in certain areas of Hanoi, the capital, and has caused a stir. Honda, which holds an 80% share of the local motorcycle market, must rethink its strategy because most of its models run on gasoline. This sudden policy change could also disrupt daily life for residents.

In July, the Vietnamese government outlined bold measures to regulate gasoline-powered motorcycles in “Prime Ministerial Directive No. 20.” Starting in July 2026, operating gasoline-powered motorcycles within the Inner Ring Road in Hanoi will be banned. The Inner Ring Road spans over seven kilometers and includes the city center, home to government offices, the Japanese embassy, and the historic Old Quarter, a popular tourist destination.

Categories: Alternative Power, Electrification, Emissions, Legislation, Motorcycles, Vietnam

Office: Japan Office

EPA Plans To Drop Phase 3 Emission Regulations

Chris Fisher

In July, the Trump administration proposed a draft rule rolling back the Greenhouse Gas Phase 3 rule, among the last of – if not the biggest – looming Biden-era emissions regulations facing the trucking industry.

The proposal was announced jointly with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator (EPA) Lee Zeldin’s call to revoke the Endangerment Finding that has allowed presidential administrations to regulate greenhouse gases since 2009.

The repeal of greenhouse gas regulations is a long road that includes a lengthy rulemaking process and likely numerous legal challenges.

Categories: Commercial Vehicles, Emissions, Legislation, North America

Office: United States Offices

2025-07-27

Ethiopia Updates ICE Vehicle Import Ban

Guy Youngs

Over a year ago, Ethiopia became effectively the first country in the world to ban the import of internal combustion engine vehicles. This was an immediate ban on the import of all ICE cars. The motivation wasn’t environmental, but economic: A high fossil fuel import bill of over US$5 billion a year, was taking a huge chunk of the country’s scarce foreign currency resources. Energy security and self-sufficiency were other major drivers.

Ethiopia’s ban covered fully built units and left out semi-knocked down (SKD) and completely knocked down (CKD) ICE vehicle kits. That meant companies importing SKD and CKD kits for local assembly could still do so.

Categories: Alternative Power, Legislation, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs

Office: United States Offices

2025-06-22

Alternative Power Report, May 2025

Guy Youngs

Alternative Power Report – May 2025 Download

The May 2025 issue of the Alternative Power Report contains articles on Volvo’s launch of the world’s first electric articulated Hauler, Aeson Power’s new sodium battery products, the IMO votes on the first-ever global carbon price on shipping, and a report on CATL’s next generation batteries. Read it all here. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, Alternative Power Reports, AltPwr, Batteries, Electrification, Legislation, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production, Sales

2025-05-24

Layoffs Begin in the North American Truck Segment

Chris Fisher

Both Volvo and International Truck have initiated layoffs this year due to sluggish orders and high production capacity in preparation for a potential 2026 truck pre-buy ahead of the phase 3 GHG Emission Regulations scheduled for implementation in 2027.

Volvo Trucks North America plans to lay off up to another 350 workers from a Virginia plant as part of job cuts affecting up to 980 employees across the country since the beginning of the year.

Employees at the New River Valley plant in Dublin, Virginia, were notified of the workforce reduction this month, and their last day at the facility will be June 27, Volvo spokesperson Janie Coley said.

Categories: Commercial Vehicles, Economics, Legislation, North America, Tariff

Office: United States Offices

IMO Votes First-Ever Global Carbon Price on Shipping

Guy Youngs

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a UN agency which regulates maritime transport, has voted to implement a global cap on carbon emissions from ocean shipping and a penalty on entities that exceed that limit.

The agreement makes the shipping industry the first sector to agree on an internationally mandated target to reduce emissions along with a global carbon price. The agreement includes standards for greenhouse gas intensity from maritime shipping fuels, with those standards starting in 2028 and reducing through 2035. The end goal is to reach net-zero emissions in shipping by 2050

Categories: Alternative Power, Emissions, Global, Legislation, Marine

Office: United States Offices

News: Legislation

Alternative Power Report, May 2025

TPI

OE Link™ Offers
Global Coverage

Sign-up for PowerTalk

PSR Global Offices & Affiliate Locations*O

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research*

Power Systems Research SA

PSR Power Systems
Research India Pvt. Ltd.

Power Systems Research SA*

Power Systems Research

Power Systems Research

Tohan Research, Inc.*

PSR Global Offices & Affiliate Locations*

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research*

Power Systems Research SA

PSR Power Systems
Research India Pvt. Ltd.

Power Systems Research SA*

Power Systems Research
(Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Power Systems Research

Tohan Research, Inc.*

Industries

Products

Solutions

Sign-up for PowerTalk

PSR Global Offices & Affiliate Locations*O

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research*

Power Systems Research SA

PSR Power SystemsResearch India Pvt. Ltd.

Power Systems Research SA*

Power Systems Research

Power Systems Research

Tohan Research, Inc.*

PSR Global Offices & Affiliate Locations*

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research*

Power Systems Research SA

PSR Power SystemsResearch India Pvt. Ltd.

Power Systems Research SA*

Power Systems Research(Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Power Systems Research

Tohan Research, Inc.*

Industries

Products

Solutions

PSR Power Systems
Research India Pvt. Ltd.

PSR Power Systems
Research India Pvt. Ltd.

Power Systems Research
(Beijing) Co., Ltd.