• News
      • Appointments
      • EV Powertrain
      • Emissions
      • Engine Components
      • Electronics
      • Facility Developments
      • Forced Induction
      • Fuel Cell Technologies
      • Fuels & Lubricants
      • Heavy-duty & Diesel Engine Technologies
      • Hybrid Powertrain Technologies
      • Industry Forecasting
      • Legislation
      • Materials & Surface Treatment
      • Metallurgy
      • Mild-hybrid & 48V Technologies
      • New powertrain
      • Partnerships, Investments & Acquisitions
      • Quality Control
      • Prototyping
      • Sustainable fuels
      • Testing
      • Traction Control Systems
      • Transmissions Technologies
      • Webinars
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • March 2025
    • January 2025
    • September 2024
    • June 2024
    • Subscribe to Automotive Powertrain Technology
    • Transmission Technology International
    • Subscribe to Transmission Technology
  • Opinion
  • Events
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
Facebook Twitter Instagram
  • Automotive Interiors
  • Automotive Testing
  • Autonomous Vehicle
  • Professional Motorsport
  • Tire Technology
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Automotive Powertrain Technology International
  • News
      • Appointments
      • EV Powertrain
      • Emissions
      • Engine Components
      • Electronics
      • Facility Developments
      • Forced Induction
      • Fuel Cell Technologies
      • Fuels & Lubricants
      • Heavy-duty & Diesel Engine Technologies
      • Hybrid Powertrain Technologies
      • Industry Forecasting
      • Legislation
      • Materials & Surface Treatment
      • Metallurgy
      • Mild-hybrid & 48V Technologies
      • New powertrain
      • Partnerships, Investments & Acquisitions
      • Quality Control
      • Prototyping
      • Sustainable fuels
      • Testing
      • Traction Control Systems
      • Transmissions Technologies
      • Webinars
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. March 2025
    2. January 2025
    3. September 2024
    4. June 2024
    5. Subscribe to Automotive Powertrain Technology
    6. Transmission Technology International
    7. Subscribe to Transmission Technology
    Featured

    In this Issue – March 2025

    By Lawrence ButcherMarch 27, 2025
    Recent

    In this Issue – March 2025

    March 27, 2025

    In this Issue – January 2025

    December 9, 2024

    In this Issue – September 2024

    September 26, 2024
  • Opinion
  • Events
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Automotive Powertrain Technology International
Opinion

How does powertrain legislation evolve in changing times?

Alex GeislerBy Alex GeislerApril 23, 20214 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
How does powertrain legislation evolve in changing times?
Share
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

Legal expert Alex Geisler discusses the role of powertrain legislation in the adoption of plug-in and battery electric vehicles.

By common consent, the earliest form of powertrain was the horse, hence the term ‘horsepower’. After the horse was the ox. With this solution came the earliest form of powertrain legislation, namely the 10 Commandments, specifically number 10, which expressly forbids me from coveting my neighbor’s ox. Today, powertrain options range from highly covetable muscle cars to unappealing EVs. As ever, the legislation is well intentioned, but still somewhat imperfect.

It’s perfectly legal, at least for now, to own and drive an ancient 5-liter car, with all the associated atmospheric emissions. The legislators’ approach is to discourage rather than prohibit. Mostly, this involves tax. As an example, the emissions charge I pay to drive into London depends on what car I’m in.

So, what are governments doing to promote the adoption of PHEVs and EVs? Early legislation was aimed at OEMs not consumers, and it involved emissions testing regulations. I’ve been a critic of NEDC, WLTP and even RDE, but if nothing else they attempt to provide comparative data for consumers to discriminate between manufacturers. Beyond that, there is no actual encouragement to consumers to adopt clean air technology. Does a man with a love of cars truly desire a Kia Niro? Of course not – but if the legislation means it’s free in the form of a company car, he may well choose it. 

But if it’s not free, is legislation effective in driving growth? Generally, not. As well as range anxiety, which we’ll come to, savings in running costs are outweighed by the high acquisition price. Besides, it turns out that many hybrids have a worse environmental impact than conventional fuel-only cars. New data from Green NCAP now includes PHEVs, and it turns out that the expected emissions benefits aren’t there.

This really shouldn’t surprise us. It is entirely logical that carrying a heavy lithium-ion battery system will add weight, and that added weight will increase fuel consumption. Nor should we be shocked to learn that many users drive long distances using the fuel engine, and that others don’t recharge as often as OEMs may recommend. The popular Mitsubishi Outlander is picked out for criticism as a heavy vehicle with a limited range, which is reported to perform worse on CO2   emissions than 11 gasoline and diesel models. The Green NCAP study also found several gasoline and diesel cars that performed better in clean air rankings than the Kia Niro Hybrid and Toyota Prius. 

Still, let’s be generous and call the earliest legislation a well-intentioned failure. Belatedly perhaps, governments have now understood that to promote PHEVs and EVs, they will need to address range anxiety. After all, you can make it free for me to drive an EV into London, but if I have no confidence it’ll get me back home, I won’t be doing it.

The UK took a pioneering stab at this in 2018 with the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018. Part 1 gained attention, at least in the legal press, because it created a legal liability theory and an associated role for insurers. In contrast, Part 2 rather slipped under the radar, and it deals with infrastructure. At least, it’s supposed to. It says that regulations may come into force, or they may not. If so, they may impose standards on charging point operators, and may require sharing of information about where they are. But that’s all about regulating an infrastructure that doesn’t fully exist yet.

Meanwhile in the USA, the Senate is also proposing legislation aimed at promoting EVs. The strategy is focused on government agencies and their employees. Under the inventively titled CHARGE (Charging Helps Agencies Realize General Efficiencies) Act, the administration would hand out a card to agency staff to use to pay to recharge their EVs. The answer to range anxiety is infrastructure, not legislation about infrastructure. As ever, the law is an ass that no one would covet.

Share. LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

Related Posts

Battery innovation – Why virtual testing is the future

March 26, 2024

Opinion: Hybrid and electrical vehicle powertrain testing

December 13, 2023

The complexity of sustainability

June 9, 2023
LATEST NEWS

Simplify product development for different vehicle segments with Marelli

April 22, 2025

Genesis Magma Racing fires up WRC-derived LMDh V8 for first time

April 22, 2025

Upfit UTV and OMMI launch off-road hybrid system

April 17, 2025

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Supplier Spotlights
  • TLX Technologies, LLC
Featured Listings
  • Wattalps
Getting in Touch
  • Contact Us
  • Download Media Pack
  • Meet the Editors
  • Free Weekly E-Newsletter
Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
Related UKi Topics
  • Automotive Interiors
  • Automotive Testing
  • Autonomous Vehicle
  • Professional Motorsport
  • Tire Technology
  • Media Pack
© 2025 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Notice and Takedown Policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by