A comprehensive review from the Federation Council signals a push to expand support for consumer mobility through a broader preferential car loan program. The discussion, reported by DEA News, reflects the stance of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy regarding targeted financial instruments that can help more families access affordable vehicles. The central idea is to allocate additional budgetary resources to widen the reach of the state program for preferential car loans, with a proposal to increase its financing to 20 billion rubles. This move aims to lower the financing costs for buyers and stimulate consumer demand within the automotive market, aligning with broader economic objectives that seek to boost household purchasing power and support local manufacturers.
Alongside this, attention is drawn to plans to elevate the preferential car rental program. The proposal calls for expanding the program’s funding to 10 billion rubles, a step interpreted as a means to boost access to affordable mobility for individuals and small businesses that rely on short-term or flexible transport solutions. Advocates suggest that a stronger rental incentive can complement the loan program by providing alternative avenues for mobility, especially for younger customers, newcomers to the market, or those who require temporary transportation during transitional periods.
Earlier discussions within the Federation Council’s economic policy committee highlighted the government’s intent to solidify the legal framework around unmanned vehicle operations. The government of the Russian Federation is considering the inclusion of liability provisions for accidents involving unmanned vehicles into existing law. This approach is seen as a foundational step to clarify accountability, establish clear fault criteria, and create a predictable regulatory environment for manufacturers, service operators, and end users alike.
In parallel, the Cabinet of Ministers has been invited to define the legal basis for the use of unmanned vehicles across the federation and to ensure their safe deployment through systematic registration and licensing. The emphasis is on developing a robust governance structure that can accommodate rapid advances in autonomy technology while safeguarding public safety and traffic efficiency. Stakeholders, including policymakers, industry players, and consumer groups, are urged to collaborate on standards, testing protocols, and oversight mechanisms that can adapt to evolving capabilities in autonomous systems.
Recent activity at the technopark of the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute, known as TsAGI, marks a concrete milestone in unmanned aviation research. The facility has entered the phase of testing a first unmanned tiltrotor equipped with smart wings. This experimental platform is designed to explore advances in vertical takeoff and landing performance, energy efficiency, and advanced control technologies. Researchers anticipate that the integrated system will provide valuable data on aerodynamic efficiency, transition dynamics between rotary and fixed-wing flight, and the potential for scalable, safe autonomous flight in both urban and rural settings. The progress at TsAGI is being watched closely by regulators and industry observers who seek to understand how such technologies might fit within future transportation networks and logistics ecosystems.