Issues
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…
The European Commission sent a letter to U.S. Senate leadership this week urging them to reconsider the electric vehicle tax credits currently included in the Build Back Better budget reconciliation plan. The letter, sent by Vladis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, is supportive of EV tax credits and the goals of the Biden…
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) posted a request for comments today in the Federal Register related to the new electric vehicle (EV) charging station program. This program, which was authorized by H.R. 3684, the bipartisan infrastructure plan, will distribute money through discretionary grants for electric vehicle charging stations throughout the United States. The bipartisan…
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear appeals from automaker Volkswagen related to their potential emissions cheating scandal. This means that the case will go back to lower courts to determine whether or not Volkswagen is liable, and to what extent they will be held responsible. Volkswagen made headlines earlier this year with…
A Louisiana federal appeals court has blocked the mandate issued by President Joe Biden that would require companies with 100 or more employees to either verify that their employees are vaccinated or require them to wear face masks and submit to weekly COVID-19 tests. The panel of judges stated that “because the petitions give cause…
A committee of the Massachusetts legislature held a hearing this week on H. 1151, a bill that would limit the amount of time insurance companies have to investigate the cause of a loss, and would require the insurer to make payments for the vehicle while the investigation is ongoing. This bill, which was filed…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a report today analyzing traffic safety data for the first half of 2021. According to the report, an estimated 20,160 people died in motor-vehicle-related crashes in the first half of 2021. This is a projected 18.6% spike in traffic fatalities compared to the same period of time…
According to a new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), vehicles with headlights that earn a “good” rating have a 19% lower nighttime crash rate than those with worse ratings. In the study, researchers point out that federal headlight regulations, which have not changed significantly since 1968, focus only on the headlight…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued notices to 70 for-profit higher education institutions this week, warning them that false claims regarding students’ potential earnings post-graduation would be met with severe financial penalties. False claims would include misrepresenting the opportunities available for students after their graduation, a guarantee of a level of salary in future careers,…