Latest news with #CCC
Filipino Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
China bans uncertified power banks on domestic flights over fire safety concerns
China has enforced a nationwide ban on uncertified and recalled power banks on all domestic flights in an effort to curb safety risks linked to lithium battery fires. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced that only power banks with an official China Compulsory Certification (CCC) mark will be allowed onboard. Devices with unclear, faded, or missing certification labels, as well as those listed in product recall notices are prohibited. According to the CAAC, the stricter regulation is part of a broader push to enhance flight safety and prevent mid-air hazards, following a string of fire-related incidents involving lithium battery-powered devices on flights in recent months. Major Chinese electronics manufacturers such as Anker and Romoss have recalled over 1.2 million portable chargers due to battery issues. Other brands, including Baseus and Ugreen, have had their CCC certifications suspended or revoked due to safety concerns. Airport authorities have also been urged to install clear signage and make public announcements about the new policy. Some airports have increased access to public charging stations to reduce passengers' reliance on personal power banks. 730 million people flew domestically in China in 2024, according to the CAAC.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
China bans uncertified power banks on domestic flights
Photo: 123rf Passengers taking domestic flights in China have been banned from carrying uncertified power banks due to concerns over potential safety risks. International passengers with connecting domestic flights in China would also be expected to comply with the ban, a customer service representative from China Southern Airlines told RNZ. In a statement posted on its website, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said passengers on domestic flights were prohibited from carrying power banks that lacked a China Compulsory Certification (CCC) mark as well as devices that had been recalled or had been identified as being non-compliant from 28 June. The CCC mark is a mandatory safety and quality certificate required for products sold in China. Electrical devices bearing the mark have met certain standards relating to safety, reliability and environmental protection that should prevent hazards such as fires, electrical shocks and harm to health and the environment. According to China's aviation agency, power banks and other lithium battery products were believed to be behind several incidents on flights this year, either catching fire or emitting smoke. As a result, some power bank models had been recalled, the agency said. At the same time, the agency said the State Administration for Market Regulation had also revoked or suspended CCC certifications for some power bank and battery cell manufacturers. The agency said airport security departments in China had been asked to strengthen inspection procedures and prevent uncertified or substandard power banks from being brought onto flights.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Is it cheaper to run an electric vehicle or a petrol car?
More people are buying electric vehicles (EVs) than ever before, but the pace of change needs to pick up even further. That's according to the UK's Climate Change Committee (CCC), which advises the government on its net zero emissions targets and said last week that the UK must increase its focus on making electricity cheaper to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. The number of electric cars on UK roads has nearly doubled in the past two years, and nearly one in five new cars sold in 2024 was electric, the chief executive of the CCC told the BBC last week. But that will only pick up even further when falling prices and the cost of running an EV tumble even further, and consumers switch away from petrol engines because it's cheaper to do so. The CCC said that falling electricity prices are critical to making this happen. So, when will road users be better off if they decide to buy an electric vehicle? We asked a number of experts. Taking a wide range of expenses - such as fuel costs, maintenance, depreciation and tax - into account, some EVs can already be cheaper to run than some petrol and diesel cars in the UK. For example, a typical EV (charged during off-peak hours) can travel 50 miles on £1 of electricity – six times further than £1 of petrol will take you, Matt Walters, an EVs expert at fleet management company Ayvens, told Yahoo News. 'Our 2025 Car Cost Index shows that when you look at the full picture – including everything from fuel and maintenance to depreciation and tax – battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are cheaper to run than petrol and diesel cars in the UK," Walters said. 'For example, the total cost of operation (TCO) for a battery electric vehicle comes in at around £982 per month. That's noticeably lower than a petrol car at £1,112 or a diesel at £1,103. "So, while electric cars have higher upfront prices, many have a lower total cost of ownership than their petrol equivalents, making them the cheaper alternative in the long run.' Manufacturers are driving their prices down, thanks not only to government policy but to an influx of cheaper parts. Figures from BloombergNEF show that battery pack prices have fallen markedly in the past decade - from $806 per kw/hr in 2014 to $115 in 2024. And they are expected to drop even further in the coming years.. 'Since the battery is the most expensive part of an EV, falling prices are a key driver in reducing overall vehicle costs, making electric cars more affordable to buy," Walters explains. 'Manufacturers are also starting to match the prices of petrol and hybrid models, with cars like the new Vauxhall Frontera launching below £20,000.' In fact, the CCC predicts that prices for new EVs and petrol cars will reach parity in around two years. Consumers are increasingly buying second-hand EVs, which are already close to drawing even with their petrol vehicles. Demand is booming, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), having risen 58.5% to 65,850 units and a record 3.3% share of all transactions in 2025. Data from car sales site Motorway show that the average prices for EVs and petrol cars sold via the platform (where dealers buy from consumers) are starting to draw very close to each other. 'Used EV prices have continued to soften over recent months. The average sale price for used EVs on our platform has decreased by 10% year on year, from £18,411 in May 2024 to £16,464 in May 2025. This reflects an increase in supply, which, despite strong consumer appetite, is still outpacing demand," Motorway told Yahoo News in a statement. New regulations (Euro 7) will mean all new EVs will have to show battery health, which should mean that people have more confidence in second-hand purchases. "The decline is closing the affordability gap with petrol cars on the second-hand market, making EVs more accessible to a wider range of motorists," Motorway added. "Just a year ago, buyers faced a significant premium to go electric, which posed a serious barrier to adoption. Now, for the majority of consumers who have never bought a brand-new car, their first EV purchase could come from a used-car dealership.' Experts at Webuyanycar believe that electrified cars will make up more than half of new registrations next year. Electrified cars have made steady year-on-year gains, according to Richard Evans, head of technical services at Webuyanycar. "The 2025 and 2026 outlooks signal not just continued electrification, but a maturing market. HEVs [hybrid electric vehicle] and PHEVs [plug-in hybrid electric vehicle] will remain vital stepping stones to all-electric motoring, while petrol and diesel registrations continue to retreat," said Evans. According to Evans, growth across the BEV, PHEV, and HEV segments makes it clear that electric motoring is no longer confined to early adopters. In addition, consumers now benefit from a choice of more than 130 EV models, improved range, better battery technology, and a continuously growing public charger network. "While affordability remains a barrier for some, the arrival of budget-friendly EVs such as the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor 03 (which are approaching price parity with the cheapest ICE cars) could help to unlock the mass market," he says.
The Star
3 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Contractors still liable for HPG project defects
JOHOR BARU: Contractors have been reminded to act swiftly and responsibly in addressing any complaints during the defects liability period for the Hospital Pasir Gudang (HPG) project, says Public Works Department (PWD) director-general Datuk Roslan Ismail. He said that despite full building management and control being handed over to the Health Ministry following the hospital's completion on Sept 15 last year, contractors are still responsible for correcting any defects. 'Contractors must continue to fulfil their obligations throughout the defects liability period as stipulated in the contract. 'Therefore, I would like to remind contractors to carry out preventive maintenance according to schedule and to act promptly and responsively in addressing and rectifying any complaints,' he said at the project handover ceremony here yesterday. Also present was Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. Roslan said the original completion date for the 20.653ha hospital was Sept 15 last year, with a total project cost of RM375.5mil, following site possession on Sept 15, 2020. The Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) was issued on May 27 this year, followed by the Certificate of Practical Completion (CPC) on June 12. Roslan attributed the project's completion to the cooperation of various stakeholders despite facing numerous challenges, including on-site disruptions and operational delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He said the project adopted the Design and Build method and followed Environmental, Social and Governance principles, making it sustainable, resilient and environmentally friendly, Bernama reported. The hospital is expected to improve access to healthcare facilities for local residents, with 304 beds and 14 specialist services, which will help reduce overcrowding at Hospital Sultanah Aminah and Hospital Sultan Ismail. The project scope includes construction of the main hospital block, staff quarters, nurses' dormitory, plant and support buildings, 1,507 parking bays, 320 motorcycle lots and 32 parking spaces for persons with disabilities.
LeMonde
3 days ago
- Business
- LeMonde
Dutch consumers wage war against Booking.com
Times are tough for the pioneering Dutch company in online accommodation booking. Its practices have already been condemned by European courts, as well as in Spain, Germany and Hungary. Now, faces a mass legal complaint from the Dutch consumer association Consumentenbond (CCC). Since the announcement on Thursday, June 26, The CCC's switchboard has been inundated with calls and its website has been difficult to access. The association says it will represent anyone (even if they are not Dutch) who booked rooms and accommodation through the platform since 2013 and who, according to the organization, have been duped into paying excessive rates. The organizers of the lawsuit estimate that the amounts involved could reach €1 billion. "We have done research and it shows that has been violating competition rules and consumer law," explained CCC president Bert Heikens. According to Heikens, customers who made reservations through the American company Expedia or Agoda – based in Singapore and acquired by in 2007 – are also being asked to come forward. The same applies to customers who were forced by hotels to apply overpriced rates through
