Cars Clips: June 13, 2024
Department of Transportation (DOT) |
‘It’s All A Mess’: Internal Documents Reveal How DEI Requirements Are Hamstringing Biden’s EV Agenda — “President Joe Biden’s goal of building half a million electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the United States by 2030 is being delayed by diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) requirements, according to documents and statements obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. To qualify for federal grant funding to build EV chargers, the Department of Transportation (DOT) says applicants should promise to engage in ‘intentional outreach to underserved communities’ by hosting ‘neighborhood block parties’ and other engagement activities, according to documents obtained by the Free Beacon. DOT officials who spoke with the Free Beacon cited these policies as the reason for why it was behind on its charging station goals, with only seven having been built as of April 1, despite $7.5 billion in allocated funds.” [Daily Caller, 6/12/24 (-)]
Courts & Legal |
Oil and gas groups suing Biden EPA over 'EV mandate' — “A coalition of oil and gas lobbying groups is suing the Biden administration to stop its new tailpipe emissions standards. The lawsuit, led by the American Petroleum Institute and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, complains that Environmental Protection Agency regulations finalized in March will effectively end the sale of new, gas-powered vehicles by 2032.” [Detroit News, 6/13/24 (=)]
Industry groups sue over Biden clean car rule — “Oil and gas interests, auto dealers, and corn growers are asking a federal appeals court to block the Biden administration’s new tailpipe emissions rule for passenger cars and trucks, saying it will force gas-powered vehicles off the road. Three industry coalitions — led by the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, the American Petroleum Institute and U.S. biofuel producers — will file suit Thursday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. At issue in their challenge is EPA’s vehicle emissions rule for model years 2027 to 2032, which marks the strongest-ever tailpipe emissions clampdown. The groups argue that the regulation exceeds the agency’s authority.” [E&E News, 6/13/24 (=)]
EPA sued by consumer, manufacturing, agricultural coalitions over new vehicle emissions standards — “In a strike against the latest EPA regulations, a unified front of three powerful coalitions is set to launch a legal juggernaut, representing 30 petitioners, on Thursday. The legal challenge seeks to overturn the EPA's controversial and stringent new vehicle emissions standards that have sparked widespread debate across the country. The three coalitions, representing consumer groups, biofuel producers, agricultural interests; including organizations like the American Petroleum Institute (API) and American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), will file petitions in Washington, D.C.'s, federal court seeking to halt implementation of the new regulations.” [Fox News, 6/13/24 (-)]
Energy, Business Groups Sue Biden Admin Over Electric Vehicle ‘Mandate’ — “Three coalitions of business interests are suing the Biden administration over its recently-finalized emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles. The coalitions — which include the American Petroleum Institute (API), the American Farm Bureau, the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), numerous car dealers and more — filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Thursday morning to try to block the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rules, which critics have characterized as an electric vehicle (EV) ‘mandate.’ The regulations will require manufacturers to ensure that up to 56% of all new light-duty vehicle sales are EVs by model year 2032, according to the EPA.” [Daily Caller, 6/13/24 (-)]
EPA hit with fresh legal challenges to tailpipe emissions standards — “Three coalitions of industry groups are filing multiple lawsuits Thursday against the Environmental Protection Agency over its tailpipe emission standards – joining the mounting legal challenges seeking to overturn the strictest federal climate regulation for passenger cars and trucks. The lawsuits are challenging the EPA’s finalized rule requiring stricter emission standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles with model years between 2027-2032. Three separate lawsuits were filed in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals led by the American Petroleum Institute, the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, and a coalition of biofuel producers. The groups are filing on behalf of 30 petitioners, encompassing U.S. energy producers and marketers, consumer groups, agricultural organizations, and auto dealers.” [Washington Examiner, 6/13/24 (=)]
Longtime Oil and Corn Foes Unite to Battle Biden Car Standards — “Advocates of rival petroleum- and plant-based fuels are joining forces to challenge new Biden administration pollution limits they say will unlawfully force automakers to sell electric cars while slashing demand for their own products. Nearly three dozen companies and trade associations will open their legal fight against the vehicle standards Thursday, filing petitions with the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The challengers include such oil industry heavyweights as the American Petroleum Institute as well as the National Corn Growers Association, which backs ethanol.” [Bloomberg, 6/13/24 (=)]
Vehicle & Engine Manufacturers |
Fisker recalls thousands of Ocean EVs for safety and compliance issues — “Electric vehicle startup Fisker announced on Wednesday that it is recalling thousands of Ocean SUVs in North America and Europe due to issues with vehicle software and will roll out an over-the-air software update. The company recalled 11,201 Oceans across the U.S., Canada, and Europe due to safety issues. The affected vehicles potentially had issues with the Motor Control Unit and Vehicle Control Unit software, which could make the vehicle lose motor power, the company said in a press release. Fisker also recalled 6,864 Oceans in the U.S. and 281 in Canada for compliance reasons. The company said the vehicles do not currently comply with federal vehicle safety standards related to gauges and telltale icons in the cluster display.” [NBC, 6/12/24 (=)]
Tesla Share Price Is Its Own Referendum on Musk — “Tesla’s shares are down nearly 30 percent this year, even as the broader stock market is up 14 percent. At its peak in 2021, the stock market value of Tesla was $1.2 trillion, putting it in the company of tech giants like Microsoft, Apple and Google. Its worth has since plunged to around $576 billion, ranking it alongside less racy companies like Visa and Walmart. Blame concerns about Tesla’s business.” [New York Times, 6/13/24 (=)]
Tesla Jumps After Musk Says Shareholders Backed Pay Package — “Tesla Inc. shares jumped in early trading after Elon Musk said shareholders voted “by wide margins” in favor of re-approving his compensation package and moving the company’s state of incorporation to Texas. The chief executive officer posted voting results on X, the social media site he owns, hours before shareholder voting ended and ahead of Tesla’s annual meeting Thursday in Austin. He shared two charts suggesting the proposals had been approved.” [Bloomberg, 6/13/24 (=)]
Fleet Operators |
Waymo recalls 672 self-driving vehicles after Arizona collision — “Alphabet's Waymo (GOOGL.O), opens new tab said Thursday it would recall 672 of its self-driving vehicles after one of its driverless vehicles struck a wooden utility pole in Phoenix, Arizona in May. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulator opened an investigation in May after 22 reports of Waymo's robotaxis exhibiting driving behavior that potentially violated traffic safety laws, or demonstrating other ‘unexpected behavior,’ including 17 collisions.” [Reuters, 6/13/24 (=)]
Electric Vehicles |
AP | Thieves are taking electric vehicle charging cables for the copper wires. It’s another obstacle to selling Americans on EVs — “Just before 2 a.m. on a chilly April night in Seattle, a Chevrolet Silverado pickup stopped at an electric vehicle charging station on the edge of a shopping center parking lot. Two men, one with a light strapped to his head, got out. A security camera recorded them pulling out bolt cutters. One man snipped several charging cables; the other loaded them into the truck. In under 2½ minutes, they were gone.” [PBS, 6/12/24 (=)]
Early adopters, mainstream success, buyer’s remorse — where is the EV market headed? — “The electric vehicle market is steeped in uncertainty. EV sales growth has slowed; automakers are pulling back on EV production; politics around the subject is growing nasty, as the very idea of driving an EV has entered the culture wars. But one analyst says don’t fret: “Our long-term outlook for EVs remains bright.” That’s according to market researcher BloombergNEF, which released the 2024 version of its annual electric vehicle outlook report on Wednesday.” [Los Angeles Times, 6/12/24 (=)]
EV sales aren’t ‘lagging’ – they’re headed for long-term growth — “EV sales will continue to grow despite the mixed near-term outlook, according to a new report from BloombergNEF – here’s why. BloombergNEF’s Long-Term Electric Vehicle Outlook (EVO) indicates that rapidly falling battery prices, advancements in next-gen battery technology, and improving relative economics of EVs with ICE counterparts continue to underpin long-term EV growth globally. However, the report indicates that the window to reach global net-zero transport is now narrower than ever. Here are seven top-line findings that I pulled from the report” [Electrek, 6/12/24 (+)]
Consumer Alert: Why electric vehicle prices are down — “If you’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle, now may be the time. For the first time, the average price of a used electric car is less than a gas-powered one. The leading models of electric vehicles fell 27% year over year. When sales slowed, Tesla slashed prices of its new cars in 2023. After that, the prices of its used models plummeted.” [WHEC-TV, 6/12/24 (=)]
Long-Range EVs Now Cost Less Than the Average New Car in the US — “The automotive industry has entered a fiercely competitive phase in the electric vehicle transition, and it’s producing an intriguing result for US car buyers: the first long-range EVs that are cheaper to buy than the average gas-powered car. At least three manufacturers — Tesla, Hyundai-Kia and General Motors — now offer EVs with more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) of range for less than the cost of the average new vehicle sold in the US, according to an analysis by Bloomberg Green. The most affordable is Hyundai’s 2024 Ioniq 6, which comes with 361 miles of range and a price tag that's 25% below the national average of roughly $47,000.” [Bloomberg, 6/7/24 (=)]
States & Local |
Maine's electric vehicle charging network is expanding — “Dozens of new high-speed electric vehicle chargers are coming to Maine. Gov. Janet Mills announced Wednesday that 17 new charging stations with a total of 52 chargers will open across the state over the next year. The sites were selected to help build a charging network along heavily traveled routes, including Interstate 95, Route 2, and Route 302, as well as areas of Portland and Bangor and to support outdoor recreation and university communities.” [WMTW, 6/12/24 (=)]
Nessel to sue fossil fuel industry, but still flies over driving — “The state of Michigan owns two similar airplanes, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. One aircraft is a Cessna 182R, which burns around 14 gallons per hour, according to BWI Fly. Nessel chose to fly instead of driving an electric vehicle. But in April, Nessel joined a multistate coalition to defend Environmental Protection Agency rules requiring about 67% of new car sales to be electric by 2032.” [Michigan Capitol Confidential, 6/12/24 (-)]
Dimming electric vehicle market may delay start of full production at Ford’s new West Tenn. Plant — “Slowing demand for Ford’s F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck could delay the start of full production at the company’s new West Tennessee factory by at least nine months, until early 2026, according to the state senator representing the community home to the new facility. State Sen. Page Walley, a Savannah Republican, told the Lookout his understanding is that full production of the truck at the BlueOval City campus in Stanton is delayed from its initially scheduled full production start date.” [Tennessee Lookout, 6/13/24 (=)]
SC lags in electric car charging but more public stations are expected come 2025 — “While South Carolina has set out to become a manufacturing hub for the electric vehicle industry, it continues to lag behind much of the country in availability of charging stations for drivers of the battery powered cars. But more chargers are expected in 2025. The Palmetto State has received $40.2 million to date in federal funding meant to boost the number of fast-charging stations along the nation’s interstate system, enabling coast-to-coast travel. An additional $30 million is still to come over the next two years. S.C. Department of Transportation has made plans and gathered public input, both online and at in-person community forums, asking drivers where they would like to see more chargers and what amenities they would like included with these locations.” [South Carolina Daily Gazette, 6/12/24 (=)]
Research, Analysis & Opinion |
Americans Are Convinced Toyota, Honda, Nissan Lead The Way On EVs: New Survey — “BEV, PHEV, HEV, NEV and FCEV are all acronyms for some sort of electrified vehicle, but only one of them refers to all-electric cars. That would be BEV, which stands for battery electric vehicle, whereas all the others have some form of helper, be it a combustion engine or something else. Furthermore, automakers using “hybridized” and “electrified” every chance they get to describe a car that–in truth–has an electric motor and battery washed away some of the meaning of an electric car.” [Inside EVs, 6/12/24 (=)]
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