The news that commercial vehicle tyre registration took effect on 1 February has been met with lots of questions from inside the trade. At the most panicked end of the spectrum, some wholesalers fear that all Chinese-produced truck tyres could end up being subject to at least a 30 per cent levy.
On 1 February the European Commission began implementing regulation (EU) 2018/163, making imports of new and retreaded commercial vehicle tyres originating from China subject to registration. The news follows the initiation of anti-dumping proceedings on 11 August 2017 and anti-subsidy proceedings on 14 October 2017.
PRA calls for investment in charging infrastructure
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) is calling for government to offer grants to retailers for investment into charging infrastructure, following news that the Automated and Electric Vehicles (A&EV) Bill has passed its third reading in the House of Commons.
Petlas aims to increase car and truck tyre sales with factory investments
Already a market leader in the agricultural tyre segment in the North Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe, Turkish tyre manufacturer Petlas is now aiming to increase its passenger car and truck tyre sales figures in the years to come. To this end, the firm reports that it made a series of investments in its passenger car tyre production during 2017.
IAAF and FIGIEFA delighted with provisional Type-Approval legislation
The IAAF and FIGIEFA have welcomed the news that crucial provisions on the OBD connector and access to RMI have been included in the proposed EU legislation on Vehicle Type-Approval Regulation, signifying a huge step forward for the aftermarket regarding access to in-vehicle data.
Liability of rogue tyre recovery operators increases
Measures announced in the Autumn Budget this week to increase the liability of illegal waste site operators have been welcomed by the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA). As of 1 April 2018, sites operating without the relevant environmental disposal permit, and those knowingly facilitating illegal waste disposal, will be liable to pay Landfill Tax and face fines amounting to an additional 100 per cent of the tax’s value. Operators of illegal sites will remain liable to criminal prosecution.
On Wednesday 15 November, the Driven consortium was given the chance to showcase its ground-breaking technology for the benefit of the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer at Number 10 Downing Street. This was as part of an event held by the government to launch a series of measures to support the continued growth and success of the UK’s world-class tech sector.
Chancellor “is planning tax hike for diesel” says PRA
Drivers of diesel engine cars are likely to face a hike in fuel price, according to the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA). Chairman Brian Madderson states that the association “has been informed by a well-placed parliamentary source, that the Chancellor is likely to announce a 1ppl increase to fuel duty for all diesel drivers in this week’s Autumn Budget. This would be a thinly disguised tax grab using air quality issues as justification.”
Unite, the UK’s largest trade union, has won a long–running campaign for the right of delivery drivers to use an employers’ toilets while conducting deliveries. From this week employers in control of non-domestic premises are obliged to allow people who are not their employees but use their premises to access toilets and washing facilities.
New Bill mandates chargepoint installation and insurance for driverless cars
Motorway services and large petrol retailers will be required to install chargepoints for electric cars, under plans announced in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 18 October by transport minister John Hayes.
Yesterday, the High Level Group (HLG) GEAR 2030 issued its report on the competitiveness and sustainable growth of the automotive industry in the EU and offered recommendations on how the automotive industry can anticipate and adapt to current trends, specifically identifying two fields – zero emission and zero emission-capable vehicles (ZEVs and ZECs), as well as connected and automated driving (CAD). The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) welcomes the adoption of the HLG report; in a statement, the association shares that it views the reports as constituting “a stepping stone for all stakeholders.”
The European Commission (EC) has fined Scania more than €880 million (£770m) for its participation in a truck cartel. Scania was the sixth and final manufacturer implicated in the price-fixing scandal, but decided against settling with the EC last year. The five other truck manufacturers – MAN, Volvo/Renault, Daimler (Mercedes-Benz), Iveco and DAF – were collectively fined €2.93bn (£2.57bn) after admitting wrongdoing.
Lack of charge points could hamper electric vehicle growth – RAC Foundation
Potential purchasers of electric cars tempted by the benefits of quickly-improving battery capacity might still hesitate if the public charge point network doesn’t keep pace with changing technology.
India’s Ministry of Finance has imposed an anti-dumping duty on truck and bus radial (TBR) tyres imported from China. The duty ranges from $245.35 - $452.33 per ton, according to a notification from the Central Board Excise and Customs (CBEC), and has been applied to “new pneumatic radial tyres with or without tubes and/or flap of rubber (including tubeless tyres) having nominal rim diameter code above 16 (inch)”.
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