Automotive industry faces new EU safety mandates and US emission rule requests

The European Union’s GSR II regulation has been fully applied to all newly registered N-category commercial vehicles as of July 2026. This mandate requires mandatory safety systems, including Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW), Blind Spot Information Systems (BSIS), and Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS).

In the French market, a 2026 Arval report indicates that electric light commercial vehicles are becoming more cost-competitive than diesel models due to rising diesel energy costs and expanding toll exemptions for zero-emission vehicles. Manufacturers such as JAC Motors are producing models, including the N90 EV and SUNRAY PRO, designed to meet these strict European safety standards.

In the United States, the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize proposed amendments to model year 2027 heavy-duty nitrogen oxide rules. The association is seeking clarity to ensure manufacturers can refine products before the standards take effect, requesting that requirements remain technologically sound and cost-effective while accounting for real-world factors like cold-weather operations.