This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news for car manufacturers, parts suppliers, car dealers, rental companies, and importers/exporters in the automotive industry. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Automotive? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Manufacturing and Oil & Gas. Also consider subscribing to our Automotive - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

Dates: 2026-02-15 to 2026-02-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Hearing: Strengthening Export Control Enforcement (Feb. 24): On February 24, 2026, the House Foreign Affairs South and Central Asia Subcommittee will hold a hearing on 'Strengthening Export Control Enforcement,' featuring Assistant Secretary David Peters from the Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce, in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

Federal Government News

EPA Final Rule Rescinds Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for Motor Vehicles under the Clean Air Act

The Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule rescinding the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding and all associated motor vehicle GHG emission standards previously established under the Clean Air Act, effective April 20, 2026. This action removes the obligation for manufacturers to comply with federal GHG emissions regulation for new light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines, eliminating certification, monitoring, and reporting requirements for CO2, N2O, methane, and certain HFC emissions. The rule does not affect criteria pollutant or fuel economy/GHG regulations administered by NHTSA or standards under other Clean Air Act sections. The EPA cited statutory interpretation and implications of the major questions doctrine, alongside comments received from 572,000 submissions, as the legal basis for repeal. Transitional instructions are provided regarding regulatory compliance, reporting requirements, and coordination with NHTSA programs.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Final Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Determinations: Active Anode Material from China

The Department of Commerce issued final affirmative determinations in the antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on active anode material from China, covering graphite-based products used in batteries. The period of review for the antidumping finding was April to September 2024, with margins of 102.72% for the China-wide entity and 93.50% for certain exporters. Countervailing duty subsidy rates ranged from 66.82% to 66.86% depending on producer/exporter. Commerce clarified cash deposit and liquidation instructions and scope exclusions, including lithium-ion battery products. The International Trade Commission (ITC) is to decide on injury, which will determine the continuation or termination of the orders.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

FMCSA Final Rule: Emergency Equipment—Spare Fuses Requirement Removed

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration amended federal emergency equipment requirements to remove the longstanding mandate that commercial motor vehicles carry spare fuses. This rule is scheduled to be effective April 20, 2026, and responds to comments indicating the requirement is outdated and unnecessary given current vehicle and service practices. FMCSA estimates annual savings of $7,200 and a reduction in approximately 9,000 violations per year. The revision does not prohibit drivers or carriers from carrying spare fuses but no longer formally requires it.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FMCSA Final Rule: Certification and Labeling for Rear Impact Guard Markings Rescinded

FMCSA amended the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to rescind the requirement for permanent marking or labeling that certifies trailer rear impact guards as meeting the applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. Effective March 23, 2026, trailers will no longer face regulatory citation for missing, illegible, or degraded certification labels. This change aims to reduce burdens on motor carriers without changing any performance or inspection requirements for rear impact guards.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Consultation: Clean School Bus Program Guidance for Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Infrastructure Deployment

The EPA released a Request for Information (RFI) in preparation for new funding under the Clean School Bus Program focused on alternative fuel vehicle and infrastructure deployment. Stakeholders are invited to submit feedback on the availability, performance, cost, fueling practices, and supply chain management of clean school buses, including electric, LNG, biofuel, and hydrogen technologies. The agency also seeks input on oversight, internal controls, fraud prevention, pre-award risk assessments, and post-award monitoring for grant recipients. Comments are due by April 6, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FMCSA Final Rule: Electronic Completion and Storage of Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports

FMCSA clarified that driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) may be created and maintained electronically. Effective March 23, 2026, this explicit allowance is intended to encourage continued adoption of electronic recordkeeping, reduce compliance burdens, and align with existing industry practice. No changes were made from the proposed rule, and carriers may continue using paper forms as an alternative.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025

H.R. 1501, titled the Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025, was introduced in the House and referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. The bill pertains to energy policy and addresses matters of domestic mining.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Trump rescinding rule incentivizing EV production so automakers meet fuel economy requirements: Reuters reports on the Trump administration's action to rescind rules incentivizing automaker EV production for fuel economy compliance.
• US trade commission launches review of USMCA automotive rules of origin: The U.S. International Trade Commission has begun a review of automotive rules of origin under USMCA.
• US automakers caught in crossfire of Trump, California EV battle: Reuters details the legal and regulatory tensions facing U.S. automakers amid federal-state EV policy disputes.
• Stock Slide and Slow Sales: What’s Happening in China’s E.V. Market?: The New York Times examines EV market challenges in China, including slow sales and declining valuations.
• Tesla avoids suspension by California regulator after corrective marketing changes: Reuters covers Tesla's compliance with California regulators following marketing adjustments.
• Poland bars Chinese-made cars from military sites over data security fears: Reuters reports on Poland's decision to prohibit Chinese-made vehicles from military facilities due to security concerns.
• Chinese automakers want to come to US. They could be here fairly soon: CNN surveys prospects for Chinese automotive exports and manufacturing in the U.S. market.
• Opinion | The long view of self-driving cars: The Washington Post reviews debates on autonomous vehicle safety and regulatory oversight.

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