EV Commitments Dodged by Automakers

author: FutureCar Staff    

Automakers are facing a dilemma as they try to navigate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). Despite their public commitments and flashy commercials promoting EVs, automakers are now opposing new federal standards that could accelerate the adoption of EVs. This contradictory stance raises questions about their true intentions.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed tailpipe emission standards that would reduce pollution from new vehicles by about 56 percent in 2032 compared to 2026 levels. While some automakers argue that these standards are unachievable, many of their own commitments were incorporated by the EPA in its proposal. If automakers are serious about their transition to EVs, they should support these commonsense standards.

The EPA's proposed regulations aim to accelerate the transition to cleaner vehicles. It estimates that about two-thirds of new vehicle sales in 2032 will need to be zero-emission cars and trucks. Some automakers are complaining that this target is even bolder than President Biden's announcement of 50 percent zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales by 2030. However, recent climate investments and policies, such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, along with state-level initiatives, are already driving significant progress toward these goals.

Automakers have already invested over $210 billion in the transition to ZEVs in the United States and plan to invest another $1.3 trillion by 2030. While these commitments were made prior to the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, this historic climate package provides crucial support for building out the EV supply chain and making EVs more affordable for consumers. Analysts predict that it will give a significant boost to EV sales.

Despite their public promises, some automakers are expressing concerns about the feasibility of the EPA's regulations. General Motors, for example, which aims for 100 percent zero-emission vehicles by 2035, wants the EPA to stick to President Biden's executive order of 50 percent EV sales in 2030. Other automakers, like Nissan and Toyota, are also scaling back their commitments in their comments to the EPA.

However, Ford, a member of the Auto Alliance, is supportive of the EPA's proposal. It states that it is "all in on electrification" and is investing heavily in EVs. The Auto Alliance's comments are more muted, suggesting a more linear ramp to emission reductions.

Under the proposed EPA standards, automakers are not required to sell a specific number of EVs. They have flexibility in choosing the most cost-effective pathway to meet the standards. However, given their public commitments, focusing on EV sales seems like a natural path. Automakers will need to make improvements and reduce tailpipe pollution, which history has shown they can achieve when stronger standards are in place.

The future is electric, and automakers have a choice to either live up to their commitments or delay the transition. Consumers are increasingly embracing EVs, and the charging infrastructure is growing. It's time for automakers to take the lead and accelerate the shift toward a climate-safe future.

Republished from NRDC Expert Blog. By Kathy Harris, Senior Advocate, Clean Vehicles and Fuels, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Source: CleanTechnica

FutureCar Staff