MobilityNotes 5-Min Monthly Read – February 2026

MobilityNotes 5-Min Monthly Read – February 2026

The February 2026 edition of MobilityNotes brings together major developments across transportation policy, emissions regulation, electrification, battery technology, fuels, engines, and power generation.

Key highlights include discussions from the SAE Government Industry meeting, EPA clean-air rule changes, India’s upcoming CAFE-3 norms, new EV battery tracking guidelines, China’s EV efficiency and battery safety standards, GM’s EV strategy shift, and the growing role of generator sets for data centers.

Policies, Regulations, and Reports

Industry voices at the SAE Government Industry meeting called for a new regulatory paradigm. The meeting, held in Washington DC from January 20 to 22, 2026, covered regulatory uncertainty, light- and heavy-duty vehicles, autonomous and electrified vehicles, renewable fuels, and critical minerals.

The EPA is moving to stop assigning dollar values to the health benefits of clean-air rules. While the EPA says health impacts will still be considered, critics argue that removing monetized health benefits could make it easier to roll back pollution limits.

Health, environmental, and consumer groups have urged the EPA to stay the course with Tier 4 and heavy-duty low-NOx regulations. They warned that weakening the rules could increase harmful tailpipe pollution and affect vulnerable communities.

The U.S. Department of Energy has removed revisions to the petroleum equivalency factor following a court decision. This affects how electric vehicles contribute toward CAFE fuel economy standards.

India is preparing to finalize CAFE-3 fuel efficiency norms, which are expected to tighten fuel consumption and fleet CO₂ emission limits from FY28 to FY32.

India has also issued Battery Pack Aadhaar guidelines for EV and industrial batteries above 2 kWh. Each eligible battery pack will receive a unique digital ID and QR code to improve traceability, safety, and recycling.

The European Commission has proposed amendments to the Heavy-Duty Vehicle CO₂ Regulation, giving manufacturers more flexibility to generate and bank credits before 2030.

The UK government has launched a consultation on new CO₂ emissions rules for heavy goods vehicles, including performance targets and phase-out dates for non-zero-emission HGVs.

U.S. greenhouse gas emissions rose an estimated 2.4% in 2025, driven largely by higher electricity demand and increased coal power generation.

The U.S. Department of Energy has also restructured its Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation to focus on mineral supply chains, battery innovation, clean energy technology, affordability, and consumer choice.

Electrification

China has introduced the world’s first EV energy-efficiency standard for electric passenger cars, setting a limit of 15.1 kWh/100 km from January 1, 2026.

China has also finalized new EV battery safety standards focused on preventing fires and explosions, with stronger requirements for thermal runaway protection and safety testing.

Canada is preparing to allow a limited number of Chinese EVs into its market at a reduced tariff rate, signaling a possible shift in North American EV trade dynamics.

China’s heavy-duty trucking market saw major growth in new energy vehicle registrations in 2025, with battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, and extended-range electric trucks gaining momentum.

CATL has signed a major long-term battery materials deal with Ningbo Ronbay for LFP cathode materials from 2026 to 2031, strengthening upstream supply for battery production.

General Motors reported a major financial charge linked to scaling back its EV plans, reflecting market shifts, weaker EV demand, and policy changes.

A new well-to-wheel analysis highlights the importance of lifecycle-based transport decarbonization. Renewable-powered battery EVs show the deepest emissions reductions, while hydrogen and e-fuel pathways may also play important roles depending on regional conditions.

Delhi plans to allow privately owned EVs and BS-VI compliant cars to operate as taxis, supporting shared mobility, EV adoption, and pollution reduction.

Fuels, Engines, and Gensets

Year-round E15 sales in the U.S. are facing headwinds after Congress omitted provisions that would have allowed nationwide sales from a key funding bill. In India, ethanol makers are calling for a small increase in the petrol blending mandate.

A new European report finds that Europe has sufficient sustainable feedstocks to support CO₂-neutral fuels for road, aviation, and maritime transport through 2050.

Generator sets are expected to play a growing role in meeting power demand from data centers and industry. Global data center capacity has surpassed 100 GW, and diesel and natural gas generator demand is projected to grow through 2030.

Upcoming Mobility Events

Key events listed in this edition include the 13th International Engine Congress in Baden-Baden, the On-Board Diagnostics Symposium Europe in Vienna, CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas, and Hybrid to Zero in Oslo.

Read the full February 2026 MobilityNotes newsletter for detailed summaries, charts, and event links.