nesses better, ways to get more people into these honorable professions, and learn how to mentor, grow, and be more productive day in and day out.”
• Yakta, a manufacturer of zero-turn mowers Intertek, an international testing and certification company, also recently joined as an affiliate member. As the advocacy voice of the outdoor power equipment industry, OPEI membership is open to manufacturers and suppliers of a broad range of equipment and technologies. Learn more at www.opei.org/join . BATTERY PRODUCTS COMMITTEE ESTABLISHES CHARGING NETWORK TASK GROUP The OPEI Battery Electric Products Committee (BEPC) has established a task group focused on understanding how the growing EV charging network can be used to power off-road equipment sectors such as OPE. The overall committee con- tinues to monitor ongoing battery legislation as states explore and expand their efforts for extended producer responsibili- ties in full recovery of rechargeable Li-ion batteries.
OPEI ADVOCATES FOR INDUSTRY TAX CREDITS Since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, OPEI has been advocating for the qualifi- cation of member products to the included 45 W tax credits. Congress included this pro- gram to provide market incen-
tives for clean commercial vehicles beyond on-road electric vehicles, understood to include battery-powered non-road mobile machinery, including among other industry products commercial lawnmowers. In comments to the U.S. Treasury in 2022, OPEI has argued in detail that the statute and supporting legislative intent per the congressional record made clear that such products were intended to qualify. Since that time, OPEI, working with allied interests such as the Association of Equipment Manu- facturers, has continued to meet with Treasury officials and congressional offices to urge the issuance of confirmatory guidance making clear which products qualify for 45 W and the process by which manufacturers satisfy the require- ments. With the 45 W program now in effect, and taxpayers now eligible to claim the credits beginning this spring, OPEI and its partners are redoubling efforts to urge action by Trea- sury, both within the department and on Capitol Hill. EIGHT NEW MEMBERS JOIN OPEI The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute is pleased to wel- come several new associate members, including: • DAE Systems, a manufacturer of earth-working products in the U.S. under license • Fixposition AG, a provider of autonomous guidance systems • Gemini Group, a supplier of engineered plastic and metal products • SEDEMAC, a manufacturer of controls solutions • U.S. Lubricants, a supplier of lubricants and fluids • Wisconsin Coil Spring (WCS Industries), a manufacturer of precision metal components
OPEI MEETS WITH DOT’S LITHIUM BATTERY AIR SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Department of Transpor- tation (DOT) – Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Commit- tee – convened in late 2023 to continue its collaboration of ensuring the safe transport of Lithium ion batteries. Discussions around limiting the state of charge of battery shipments to 30 percent, or its lowest practical state, proved to be challenging for batteries, especially when packed with or contained in equipment. Additional concerns were raised when it was mentioned that the DOT is moving to support this proposal during the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Dangerous Goods Panel meetings. However, OPEI supports opposition to such state of charge proposals because it could impact OPE man- ufacturers, and its supply chains, by creating possible risks where batteries are prematurely depleted while contained in the equipment itself.
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