Clean transport solutions get government funding to help Germany meet its climate targets The German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, the BMVI, has announced that it will invest €6.6 billion ($A10.6 billion) by 2024 to promote commercial electromobility. Around $A2.6 billion of its investment will be used to subsidise commercial vehicles with alternative … Continue reading Germany invests in greener commercial vehicles
The new automotive right to repair bill promises a fairer and more competitive vehicle service industry, but it must be carefully developed to be effective On 17 June 2021, the Competition and Consumer Amendment to the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme Bill was passed by the Australian senate. The new automotive bill, … Continue reading Making right to repair a reality
New EIA report reveals major HFC smuggling routes and rampant bribery The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has published a damning report that reveals Romania to be a major illegal entry point for unreported hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants. Its new publication, called Europe’s Most Chilling Crime – The illegal trade in HFC refrigerant gases, is yet another … Continue reading Illegal HFC trade underpinned by corruption
Automotive businesses need skilled migrant workers, but current government schemes aren’t granting them the required opportunities In September 2020, to help the Australian economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the government created a scheme that prioritised the immigration of skilled workers for critical sectors. The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) initially identified 17 occupations, … Continue reading Skilled migration scheme overlooks the auto trade
Independent specialist Thatcham Research, which is based in the UK, has launched a new training program that is designed to get businesses and employees up to speed with electric cars. The program, called EV Ready, covers EV-specific facets such as battery identification, safely working on electric vehicles and component repair – and both e-learning and … Continue reading Thatcham powers up new EV training
Kevin O’Shea, the president of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors’ Association (RACCA) in Australia, has racked up a 50-year career as a technician and authority in the refrigeration and air conditioning business. In that time, much has changed. However, reflecting on his experiences in a recent article, O’Shea has flagged that the industry still … Continue reading The importance of apprentices
Scania Australia has announced that it will financially support light-vehicle technicians who are looking to make the leap to working on heavy-duty vehicles. The company will fund additional training at Technical and Further Education (TAFE) colleges, granting technicians the certification required to work on heavy-vehicle-specific hardware – such as air brakes and hydraulic systems. “Lately, … Continue reading Scania aims to attract new techs
Legal restrictions and a lack of incentives deny Australian companies much-needed zero-emissions trucks – but a new partnership could change the story According to a new report from the Australian Trucking Association (ATA), the truck market in North America offers more than five times the number of zero-emissions models than that in Australia. It’s a … Continue reading Australia falling behind in zero-emissions truck race
Commercial vehicle manufacturer PACCAR, which builds Peterbilt, DAF and Kenworth trucks, has announced a new long-term deal with electrification specialist Romeo Power. For the next five years, Romeo Power – which is based in Los Angeles, California – will supply PACCAR with battery packs, modules and management systems for its all-electric vehicles. The Romeo Power … Continue reading New EV tech deal for Kenworth trucks
Out with diesel, in with electric: the growing adoption of zero-emissions refrigerated trailers Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, which is based in the United Kingdom, has reportedly become the first retailer in the country to adopt fully electric refrigerated trailers. The move, which will reduce the environmental impact of its vehicles, is part of the company’s overarching … Continue reading Making the all-electric cold chain a reality
