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International Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee

Webinar
24Apr

“SoH: Why Are We Still Talking About Battery Standards?”

On April 23, 2025, CITA hosted a members-only webinar exploring a crucial and timely topic in the evolution of electric mobility: the state of health (SoH) of electric vehicle (EV) batteries and the pressing need for standardized, independent assessments. The session brought together leading experts to unpack the technical, regulatory, and societal implications of battery SoH evaluation—an increasingly vital component in ensuring safe, reliable, and sustainable e-mobility.

The webinar featured insightful presentations by:

  • Martin Dillinger, Expert Alternative Drivetrains, TÜV Rheinland
  • Manuel Hagemann, Technical Expert, TÜV NORD
  • Markus Gregor, Technical Expert EV Battery, TÜV SÜD
  • Robin Zalwert, Head of Sustainable Mobility, TÜV-Verband

Each speaker offered a unique perspective on the evolving standards and methods for independently assessing battery health, setting the stage for an engaging discussion and Q&A session.

As highlighted throughout the webinar, the lack of harmonized standards for battery SoH remains a critical barrier to building trust in second-hand EV markets and ensuring the effectiveness of periodic technical inspections. Attendees were reminded of a compelling statistic from the TÜV Mobility Study 2024: 62% of car owners would trust battery condition assessments only if conducted by independent testing organizations.

The webinar underscored the complexity of evaluating SoH, especially given the discrepancies between OEM-specific readouts and independent testing. Presentations showcased how software updates, usage patterns, and manufacturer-defined metrics can obscure true battery condition, reinforcing the necessity for neutral, transparent assessment protocols.

The program offered a comprehensive overview, including:

  • Objectives and implications of the German SoH-Merkblatt (MB FZMO 767:2024) – a technical guideline supporting independent SoH determination, emphasizing reproducibility, neutrality, and quality assurance.
  • Differences between OEM-based and third-party SoH evaluations, highlighting the challenges of trust, data access, and result comparability.
  • Evaluation criteria for neutrality and independence, advocating for standardized methodologies and legally safeguarded data access.
  • Updates on GTR 22 – the upcoming Global Technical Regulation establishing durability benchmarks and minimum performance requirements for battery energy and range, pivotal for EURO 7 implementation.

Participants left with a clear message: independent, standardized SoH assessments are not just a technical necessity—they are the cornerstone of sustainable, transparent, and circular EV markets.

CITA extends its thanks to all presenters and participants, and looks forward to continuing the conversation on advancing battery health standards and best practices.

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10Apr

Best Practices in Communicating PTI Benefits

As part of its ongoing mission to enhance awareness and understanding of PTI, CITA hosted an exclusive members-only webinar titled "Best Practices in Communicating PTI Benefits" on April 9, 2025. This dynamic session offered a unique platform to explore four successful communication strategies from across the CITA network, each designed to better connect with the public and stakeholders around the importance of PTI.

Moderated by CITA Executive Director Eduard Fernández, the webinar showcased a diverse array of campaigns and tools—from data-driven studies and media outreach to engaging videos and digital storytelling—all with a common goal: strengthening road safety, environmental protection, and public trust in PTI systems.

Highlights from the Webinar Presentations:

  • AECA-ITV (Spain) – Campaign
    Presenter: Mr. Guillermo Magaz Pilar, Director
    Faced with high non-compliance rates and a concerning vehicle fleet status in Spain, AECA-ITV launched a powerful national communication campaign to reposition the roadworthiness test in the minds of citizens. Through bold messaging and a multi-channel strategy—including radio spots, TV mentions, a dedicated video campaign, and social media outreach—the initiative emphasized the vital role of PTI in saving lives and protecting the environment.

  • DEKRA (Germany) – Leveraging the DEKRA Road Safety Report
    Presenter: Mr. Wolfgang Sigloch, Press Officer Automotive
    DEKRA’s annual Road Safety Report, in publication since 2008, has become a cornerstone of their communication efforts. While not focused on any one report, the presentation highlighted how this ongoing series acts as a trusted and authoritative platform for promoting road safety and advancing the PTI message. Each edition blends crash statistics, research insights, and policy recommendations to support evidence-based improvements in vehicle inspection practices.

  • AUTOTEST Group (Bulgaria) – “How Does a PTI Go?” Video Campaign
    Presenters: Mr. Mihail Yankov, CTO and Mr. Daniel Dzhahani, Deputy Technical Director
    AUTOTEST captivated audiences with their most viewed video, which transparently walks viewers through the entire PTI process. This visual approach was supported by audience research conducted before and after the campaign, showing significant improvements in public perception of PTI's importance among Bulgarian drivers. The results underscored the value of accessible, relatable communication tools in demystifying inspections and promoting compliance.

  • TÜV-Verband (Germany) – Insights from the TÜV Mobility Study 2024
    Presenter: Mr. Richard Goebelt, Director Automotive & Mobility
    Drawing from the TÜV Mobility Study 2024, Mr. Goebelt shared key findings from a national survey that affirmed the public’s strong demand for independent vehicle inspections—especially concerning driver assistance systems in the era of automated mobility. The presentation illustrated how transparency and independence in testing continue to build public trust, even as mobility technology rapidly evolves.

This webinar served not just as a showcase of best practices, but also as a source of inspiration and practical guidance for CITA members looking to elevate their own outreach strategies. Each presentation offered actionable insights into how creative, data-informed, and targeted communication can reinforce the value of PTI in everyday mobility and public safety.

CITA extends its sincere thanks to all speakers and participants who contributed to this engaging and informative event.

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07Feb

Key Takeaways from CITA’s Meeting with Færdselsstyrelsen & CORTE

On February 6, 2025, CITA had the privilege of hosting an important meeting at its facilities, bringing together key stakeholders from Færdselsstyrelsen—the Danish Road Traffic Authority—and CORTE (the Confederation of Organisations in Road Transport Enforcement). This strategic gathering served as a platform for meaningful dialogue on critical issues shaping the future of road safety and regulatory frameworks across Europe.

The discussions were particularly timely, considering Denmark's upcoming Presidency of the EU Council in the second semester of 2025. This context added a significant dimension to the meeting, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts in driving policy advancements and regulatory coherence throughout the EU.

Key Topics Discussed:

  • New Technologies and Regulatory Compliance
  • Digitalization
  • Tampering
  • Electric Vehicles:
  • Evolution of the Roadworthiness Package

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continued collaboration, recognizing that the dynamic nature of the transport sector demands ongoing dialogue and cooperation.

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30Jan

CITA & TRL Webinar: Key Findings on Vehicle Defects and Road Safety

Yesterday (January 29th, 2025), CITA held an exclusive webinar in collaboration with the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL). This highly anticipated event shed light on the findings of TRL’s report, “Relationship between Vehicle Defects Checked in Roadworthiness Inspections and Those Identified in Collision Analyses.”

The webinar opened with a presentation by Dr. Mervyn Edwards, Senior Consultant at TRL, who highlighted the objectives and context of the study. He explained the critical role of PTI in identifying vehicle defects and reducing the risk of traffic collisions. The report’s analysis demonstrated a direct correlation between vehicle deficiencies identified during roadworthiness inspections and those found as contributory factors in collision investigations.

Through extensive research and data analysis, TRL compared collision data from jurisdictions with and without PTI systems. The findings underscored that in-depth collision investigations - those involving expert analysis and advanced diagnostic tools - are far more effective at identifying vehicle defects as contributing factors to accidents. While standard collision investigations conducted by police officers at the scene identified 50% of dangerous deficiencies overall, in-depth investigations revealed a significantly higher rate of 88%.

The presentation emphasized the differences in detection rates for specific vehicle systems:

  • Braking Systems: In-depth investigations identified 68% of braking deficiencies compared to 38% by standard methods.
  • Tyres & Suspension: Standard inspections performed reasonably well, identifying up to 60% of deficiencies, but in-depth investigations still outperformed at 83%.
  • Other Critical Systems: Axles, steering, and chassis issues showed similar trends, with in-depth methods consistently revealing more deficiencies.

The webinar also examined scenarios where deficiencies were less likely to be detected, particularly when minor or concealed defects were involved. This highlighted the limitations of standard inspections and the need for more comprehensive investigative approaches.

Dr. Edwards noted that while PTI systems provide measurable safety benefits, their full potential may not be realized unless complemented by robust collision investigation processes. He emphasized the importance of integrating findings from both standard and in-depth investigations to inform future policies and improve road safety outcomes.

CITA thanks TRL and all participants for their contributions to this important discussion.

For more information about the TRL report and upcoming CITA events, visit our website or contact us directly.

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20Jun

CITA Webinar “Validation of a Method to Test NOx Emissions”

The webinar, hosted by CITA and the Joint Research Centre (JRC), took place on June 19th on the CITA Zoom channel with over 80 participants. The discussion focused on the collaborative project between the two organizations, aimed at validating a new method for testing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions during Periodic Technical Inspections (PTI) in the EU.

Mr. Jacopo Franzetti, Project Manager for Scientific Research at JRC – European Commission, and Mr. Max Holtermueller from DEKRA together with Mr. Thomas Ost, leader of the CITA Taskforce on Emissions, led the presentations. They highlighted the importance of NOx, its formation and reduction, and the scope, the method and results of the project.

Why Focus on NOx? Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are harmful pollutants with severe health impacts. NOx is a strong oxidizing agent that can cause respiratory issues, aggravate other pollutants' effects, and lead to diseases like asthma, bronchitis, and cardiovascular problems. A significant improvement in air quality in Europe has been noted, but NOx levels still exceed WHO guidelines, contributing to premature deaths. NOx primarily forms at high temperatures in the presence of sufficient oxygen, commonly occurring under high engine loads. This poses a challenge for PTI, as controlling these conditions during inspections is complex.

The Project. The JRC has developed a streamlined method for measuring NOx emissions during the PTI of modern Euro 6d diesel light-duty and Euro VI heavy-duty vehicles. This aims to identify malfunctions in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems, crucial for reducing NOx emissions. The objective of the project was to validate a NOx monitoring method tailored for PTI in the EU, focusing on modern diesel vehicles under real-world conditions. Various CITA members participated, testing vehicles across different EU countries to account for diverse PTI systems.

The Results. 161 vehicles from various countries were tested, encompassing a wide range of mileages and ages. Key findings include:

  • Vehicle Age and Mileage:  A very wide range of vehicles were tested, with mileages ranging from 0 to 347.000 km.
  • NOx Emissions: Average NOx emissions were 26 ppm in the first 30 seconds, with significant variations among different participants and vehicle conditions.
  • Feedback: Participants rated the method's feasibility, integrability, and time effort on a scale from 1 to 5, with average scores indicating moderate satisfaction. Challenges included difficulty in warming up vehicles and software/hardware issues.

Conclusion. The validated method is suitable for modern diesel vehicles with SCR catalysts but not for those without. While the method is generally simple, integrating the warm-up process into PTI remains a challenge. Further optimization and precise specifications for the warm-up process are necessary. CITA's Task Force on Emissions is preparing a detailed report on the project's findings, expected to be published by August/September. Additionally, a survey on driving practices during PTI will be conducted between CITA members.

CITA remains committed to supporting the method's further development and implementation.

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