By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released a plan to further accommodate automated vehicle (AV) technologies. Since some federal safety standards effectively assume the presence of drivers, the DOT will ease the process for exempting cars, trucks and other vehicles from existing standards requiring a driver if the vehicles achieve an equivalent level of safety.

Transportation officials will also work with their state and local counterparts to eliminate any unnecessary impediments that preclude driverless vehicles. The plan continues to rely on companies to voluntarily assess that their vehicles are safe enough to be on public roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will also continue to work with the states and industry to consider possible new regulations. The DOT plan is called “Preparing for the Future of Transportation: Automated Vehicles 3.0,” which builds upon the previously guidelines called “Automated Driving Systems: A Vision for Safety 2.0.”

For more information, visit www.transportation.gov/av/3.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released a plan to further accommodate automated vehicle (AV) technologies. Since some federal safety standards effectively assume the presence of drivers, the DOT will ease the process for exempting cars, trucks and other vehicles from existing standards requiring a driver if the vehicles achieve an equivalent level of safety.

Transportation officials will also work with their state and local counterparts to eliminate any unnecessary impediments that preclude driverless vehicles. The plan continues to rely on companies to voluntarily assess that their vehicles are safe enough to be on public roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will also continue to work with the states and industry to consider possible new regulations. The DOT plan is called “Preparing for the Future of Transportation: Automated Vehicles 3.0,” which builds upon the previously guidelines called “Automated Driving Systems: A Vision for Safety 2.0.”

For more information, visit www.transportation.gov/av/3.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released a plan to further accommodate automated vehicle (AV) technologies. Since some federal safety standards effectively assume the presence of drivers, the DOT will ease the process for exempting cars, trucks and other vehicles from existing standards requiring a driver if the vehicles achieve an equivalent level of safety.

Transportation officials will also work with their state and local counterparts to eliminate any unnecessary impediments that preclude driverless vehicles. The plan continues to rely on companies to voluntarily assess that their vehicles are safe enough to be on public roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will also continue to work with the states and industry to consider possible new regulations. The DOT plan is called “Preparing for the Future of Transportation: Automated Vehicles 3.0,” which builds upon the previously guidelines called “Automated Driving Systems: A Vision for Safety 2.0.”

For more information, visit www.transportation.gov/av/3.

By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

• TORA Media Preview, October 29, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, Media Center, Las Vegas
• SEMA Show Student Career Day, October 29, 2018, Westgate Resort & Casino, Paradise Event Center, Las Vegas
• SEMA Launch Pad, October 29, 2018, Westgate Theater, Las Vegas
• Media Preview Exclusive, Presented by TORA, October 29, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper South Hall, Las Vegas
• New Technologies, New Opportunities: Vehicle Technology Roundtable, Powered by ETTN, October 29, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, N258, Las Vegas
• WTC General Membership Meeting, October 29, 2018, Aces Restaurant, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
• Gear-up Girl, Powered by SBN, October 29, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, N264, Las Vegas
• YEN Membership Meeting and Mixer, October 29, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, N263C, Las Vegas
• SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
• Racing and Performance Forum: Keeping Technology at the Forefront, Powered by ETTN, October 30, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, N258, Las Vegas
• Body Politics—The Nonverbal Differences between Men and Women, Powered by SBN, October 30, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, N253, Las Vegas
• Truck Market Happy Hour, October 30, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, TORA Booth #34185, Las Vegas
• ARMO Reception, October 30, 2018, Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, Conference Rooms 7-14, Las Vegas
• PRO Reception, October 30, 2018, Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Pool Deck, Las Vegas
• WTC Reception, October 30, 2018, Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel Pool, Las Vegas
• YEN Reception, October 30, 2018, Westgate Paradise Center, Las Vegas
• ARMO General Membership Meeting, October 31, 2018, Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, Conference Rooms 4-6, Las Vegas
• Take Your Company’s Sales to the Next Level, Powered by PRO, October 31, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, N253, Las Vegas
• Restoration Builders Panel: Powered by ARMO, October 31, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N258, Las Vegas
• Advanced Driver Assist Systems: Customizing with Confidence, Presented by ETTN, October 31, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, N258, Las Vegas
• Good Enough Now: Women at Work, Powered by SBN, October 31, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, N254, Las Vegas
• Legal & Regulatory: Navigating the World of Import Tariffs, Powered by WTC, October 31, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, N256, Las Vegas
• Live SEMA OEM Accessory Roundtable, October 31, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, N218, Las Vegas
• PRO Happy Hour, October 31, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth #13113, Las Vegas
• HRIA Reception, October 31, 2018, Westgate Paradise Center, Las Vegas
• TORA Reception, October 31, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall in the SCORE off-road area, Las Vegas
• SBN Reception, October 31, 2018, Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, Ballroom D, Las Vegas
• Coffee and Conversation Presented by WTC, November 1, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
• PRO General Membership Meeting, November 1, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, N232, Las Vegas
• Manufacturer Rep Roundup & Awards Program, November 1, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
• Hot Rod Builder Panel, Powered by HRIA, November 1, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, N258, Las Vegas
• ETTN Vehicle Tech Lunch & Learn, November 1, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, N261, Las Vegas
• Advanced Vehicle Technology: Practice, Policy and Challenges, Powered by ETTN, November 1, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, N258, Las Vegas
• SEMA Ignited, November 2, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
• SCRS IDEAS Collide Showcase, November 2, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
• PRI Trade Show, December 6–8, 2018, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
• MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 22–24, 2019, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Santa Ana, California
• SEMA Middle East Business Development Program, March 26–31, 2019, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• SEMA Australia Business Development Conference, May 9–13, 2019, Melbourne, Australia

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The White House directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow E15 (gasoline that contains 15% ethanol) to be sold year-round. Currently, the EPA prohibits the sale of E15 between June 1 and September 15 due to fuel-volatility concerns that higher blends of ethanol combined with warmer temperatures may lead to increased ground-level ozone formation and smog. The EPA will draft regulations to allow E15 sales to begin as early as 2019, although the decision to lift the restriction could be challenged in court.

President Trump’s support for year-round sales of E15 is designed to increase the availability of E15, as ethanol supporters maintain that few gas stations sell the fuel since E15 could only be legally sold for part of the year. In 2011, the EPA made it illegal to use E15 fuel in motor vehicles made before 2001, motorcycles, boats and gasoline-powered equipment.  

SEMA opposes the expansion of E15 sales, as ethanol, especially in higher concentrations such as E15, can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers in automobiles that were not constructed with ethanol-resistant materials.  

For additional details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The White House directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow E15 (gasoline that contains 15% ethanol) to be sold year-round. Currently, the EPA prohibits the sale of E15 between June 1 and September 15 due to fuel-volatility concerns that higher blends of ethanol combined with warmer temperatures may lead to increased ground-level ozone formation and smog. The EPA will draft regulations to allow E15 sales to begin as early as 2019, although the decision to lift the restriction could be challenged in court.

President Trump’s support for year-round sales of E15 is designed to increase the availability of E15, as ethanol supporters maintain that few gas stations sell the fuel since E15 could only be legally sold for part of the year. In 2011, the EPA made it illegal to use E15 fuel in motor vehicles made before 2001, motorcycles, boats and gasoline-powered equipment.  

SEMA opposes the expansion of E15 sales, as ethanol, especially in higher concentrations such as E15, can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers in automobiles that were not constructed with ethanol-resistant materials.  

For additional details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The White House directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow E15 (gasoline that contains 15% ethanol) to be sold year-round. Currently, the EPA prohibits the sale of E15 between June 1 and September 15 due to fuel-volatility concerns that higher blends of ethanol combined with warmer temperatures may lead to increased ground-level ozone formation and smog. The EPA will draft regulations to allow E15 sales to begin as early as 2019, although the decision to lift the restriction could be challenged in court.

President Trump’s support for year-round sales of E15 is designed to increase the availability of E15, as ethanol supporters maintain that few gas stations sell the fuel since E15 could only be legally sold for part of the year. In 2011, the EPA made it illegal to use E15 fuel in motor vehicles made before 2001, motorcycles, boats and gasoline-powered equipment.  

SEMA opposes the expansion of E15 sales, as ethanol, especially in higher concentrations such as E15, can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers in automobiles that were not constructed with ethanol-resistant materials.  

For additional details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

Attendee, exhibitor and media registration for the 2018 SEMA Show is now open.

Attendee, exhibitor and media registration for the 2018 SEMA Show is now open.