Author Archives: Harold Tor-Daenens

• LEVA-EU in the European Commission’s Expert Group on Machinery

  15/04/2025 17:16 Comments Off on LEVA-EU in the European Commission’s Expert Group on Machinery

  On 11 April 2025, LEVA-EU took part in the meeting of the Expert Group on Machinery organised by the European Commission.

  Meeting twice a year, the group consists of representatives from EU Member States as well as trade organisations such as LEVA-EU. The work programme and functioning of the group is coordinated by DG GROW of the Commission.

  One of the most important dossiers currently treated by the Expert Group on Machinery pertain to the transition from Machinery Directive to Machinery Regulation. An editorial group has been set up to draft the Guide to on the application of the new Machinery Regulation together with Member State experts and market surveillance authorities.

  It is vital that LEVA-EU continues to represent its members’ interests at the Expert Group on Machinery, because all non-type-approved light electric vehicles fall under the remit of the Machinery Directive (and from 20 January 2027 onwards, the Machinery Regulation).

  It was in this group that LEVA-EU raised the attention of both the European Commission and the national authorities on the insufficient market surveillance at the Member State level to prevent the influx of illegal LEVs into the European Single Market that threaten the level playing field of compliant LEV companies.

  Members of LEVA-EU benefit from its direct feedback to policymakers and stakeholders. For more information about the ongoing EU advocacy efforts of LEVA-EU, visit our membership information page.

• LEVA-EU took part in event by Stan4Swap Project

  10/04/2025 09:39 Comments Off on LEVA-EU took part in event by Stan4Swap Project

  LEVA-EU took part in the debate “Swappable Batteries – a clean revolution for European Urban Mobility?” organised by the Stan4Swap project at the European Parliament on 9 April.

  Funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, the project sets out to propose a standardisation roadmap in Europe for swappable battery systems for light electric vehicles.

  The project is coordinated by Piaggio, and the consortium includes CENELEC, HYBA, Swobbee, KTM, Fraunhofer, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and BMGI consulting.

  The event was opened by MEP Pierfrancesco Maran.

  On behalf of LEVA-EU, Harold Tor-Daenens made the following interventions about concept proposed by the project:

  1. The Stan4Swap project seems to be limited to L3e vehicles (electric motorcycles) while the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation calls for looking at all L-category vehicles. Any proposal of swappable battery standards will require further consultation with all other categories.
  2. The concept of swappable battery stations will require alignment with the new Battery Regulation. Some clauses within the regulation such as the future digital battery passport and the safety requirements against the removability of batteries by end-users would need to be addressed.
  3. For swappable battery stations to work, they need to be profitable. The concept needs to have a clear business case – firmly supported by regulation – which is outside the scope of the project.

  Echoing the input by other participants on how EU policymakers should embrace LEVs as an integral part of logistics and supply chain deliveries, Harold Tor-Daenens made the point that the European Commission should enlarge the definition of “corporate fleet” to include all LEVs. This will not only help the EU advance rapidly towards its climate goals and open up the economic possibilities for innovative ideas such as swappable battery stations for LEVs.

  This point was kindly taken note of by representatives of DG GROW and DG MOVE of the European Commission present.

• LEVA-EU joins other transport sectors in an open letter to the EU Member States: A competitive and resilient Europe requires a stronger EU transport budget

  03/04/2025 09:42 Comments Off on LEVA-EU joins other transport sectors in an open letter to the EU Member States: A competitive and resilient Europe requires a stronger EU transport budget

  47 European transport organisations, among which LEVA-EU, have joined forces and are collectively urging national governments and the European Commission to maintain and strengthen a robust dedicated European transport funding instrument under the future EU budget.

  With the upcoming discussions on the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF), the 47 transport organisations underline that the European coordination and implementation of infrastructure across Europe is more than ever crucial. It is the only guarantee for safeguarding the smooth functioning of the EU internal market and is instrumental to enhancing Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and military preparedness – the key EU priorities for the coming years. The Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta reports reaffirm this as a crucial policy priority, underscoring how a well-functioning European transport network is essential to drive economic growth, job creation and cohesion in Europe.

  Europe’s transport sector is therefore very concerned about the Commission’s plans to redirect a large part of the European transport funding towards National Single Plans. In an open letter, Europe’s transport sector is asking Member States to give a strong signal towards the Commission in favour of preserving a solid dedicated European transport funding instrument under the next MFF. Such an approach ensures that the European budget prioritises investments of high European added value and safeguards a much needed long-term strategic and stable investment planning.

  Annick Roetynck, Managing Director of the Light Electric Vehicles Association (LEVA-EU): “The LEV industry is joining the other European transport associations in sounding the alarm. Transport is the backbone of Europe’s internal market and plays a key role in supporting the livelihood and mobility needs of millions across the continent. In deliberations on the future EU budget, we are collectively asking the national governments and the European Commission to preserve and further strengthen the European transport budget to support the transport investments that are needed to keep Europe’s economy and society moving and to build the stronger, more resilient and competitive Europe we need. Every Member State will benefit from a stronger transport industry economically and socially.”

  The open letter to the EU Member States, with the full list of signatories, can be found here.

• LEVA-EU took part in 12th EGUM plenary

  28/03/2025 18:23 Comments Off on LEVA-EU took part in 12th EGUM plenary

  LEVA-EU’s Policy Director Harold Tor-Daenens took part in the 12th plenary session of the Expert Group on urban mobility (EGUM) on 25 March.

  Held in the European Commission, the EGUM is a platform for dialogue and co-creation of actions to implement the 2021 EU Urban Mobility Framework.

  As the official trade association representing the full Light Electric Vehicles industry, LEVA-EU takes part in EGUM as well as its sub-groups to engage with EU Member States, cities and regional officials and other stakeholders on all current issues of urban mobility and urban logistics.

  Chairing the meeting are officials from the Directorate-General of Transport (DG MOVE) of the European Commission.

  “It is vital that LEVA-EU engages actively in EGUM,” says Harold Tor-Daenens. “It is one of the important fora where we can put forward the perspectives of our member companies so that these are fed into future regulatory developments of the European Union.”

  Issues discussed in EGUM ranges from functional urban areas (FUA) to city access for businesses. With cities and regions taking part in these discussions, LEVA-EU provides the necessary industry insights with concrete case studies from our members.

  Last year, LEVA-EU’s active participation in EGUM led to a significant milestone with the official recognition of light electric mobility as a key component of sustainable urban mobility in the forum’s formal recommendations to the European Commission.

  Only members are able to provide feedback through LEVA-EU to EGUM. Companies that are interested in joining our industry voice at the EU level can visit this page to know more about our membership terms and conditions.