Tag Archives: proposal

Motorsport

Alfa Romeo V6 To Continue Production Thanks To Revised Euro 7 Regulations

The automotive industry was in an uproar over the initial proposal for Euro 7 regulations, as it would have forced certain car models to be discontinued. The stricter emissions standards required costly modifications to engine manufacturing processes, which would have made the cars too expensive for consumers. Many engines were on the verge of extinction, but there is now a reprieve.

Last week, European Union ministers reached an agreement to significantly revise the European Commission’s proposal for Euro 7 vehicle emissions. Under the new agreement, the test conditions and emissions limits for cars and vans will remain unchanged from Euro 6 to Euro 7. The revised standard will only affect buses and heavy vehicles. As a result, Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato has confirmed that the V6 engine used in the Quadrifoglio models will not be phased out.


Internet, News

The FCC’s Plans to Restore Net Neutrality

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ambitious plans to restore net neutrality, aligning with the Biden administration’s goal of providing fast and affordable broadband internet access nationwide. However, the implementation of these plans may not be straightforward. The FCC will conduct a vote next month and seek public recommendations on the draft proposal before finalizing the rules. To achieve its goal, the FCC aims to bring internet service providers (ISPs) under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. This classification would grant the FCC legal powers to prevent activities like website blocking, prioritizing certain internet traffic, and manipulating information flow.

At a press conference, FCC Chief Rosenworcel emphasized the importance of an open internet, expressing concerns about traffic manipulation, access slowdowns, and other objectionable practices. In an official statement, she also highlighted the responsibility of telecom service providers in protecting customer information. Rosenworcel asserted that selling user location data or other sensitive information should be prohibited, and broadband players should not have access to such data to train AI models or track user whereabouts.

However, industry stakeholders are not fully supportive of the FCC’s proposal. Jonathan Spalter, President & CEO of USTelecom, argues that treating broadband as a Title II utility can be a problematic and costly solution without a clear problem to address. The future of an open internet hangs in the balance as these debates continue.

Motorsport

GM Warns Tougher NHTSA Fuel Regulations Could Have Costly Consequences for Automakers, Disagreement with Feds

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a significant increase in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, particularly for light and commercial trucks. General Motors (GM) had initially claimed that these stringent fuel economy standards could result in $300 billion in fines for automakers. However, GM appears to be less certain about this now. Let’s delve into the details.

Let’s first take a look at the proposal itself. You can read the entire 696-page proposal here, which was officially released by the NHTSA today. It is important to note that this is just a proposal and is not yet official. Once it is published in the Federal Register, there will be a 60-day open comment period. In a nutshell, the major highlights of the proposal include a 10 percent year-over-year fuel economy improvement for commercial pickup trucks and vans starting in 2030. This requirement applies to vehicles with gross weight ratings over 8,500 pounds but less than 14,001 pounds.