Cars Clips: June 14, 2024
Congress |
House blocks EV, endangered species amendments — “The House this week rejected a pair of amendments to its annual defense policy bill that would have undermined federal electric vehicle and endangered species laws. Lawmakers also approved a spate of amendments that would facilitate critical minerals procurement, support nuclear energy and target the Biden administration’s executive orders on climate change. The proposals were among a number of amendments the House Rules Committee teed up for debate this week ahead of a final vote on the House’s fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act scheduled for Friday morning.” [E&E News, 6/14/24 (=)]
Trump rallies Republicans against Biden energy policies, but sidesteps IRA — “Presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump delivered a campaign-style energy address during a day of meetings with congressional Republicans on Thursday, hitting on trademark themes like ‘drill baby drill’ and pledging to reverse Biden administration policies he said hamper fossil fuel development and favor electric vehicles. More than half a dozen lawmakers who spoke to POLITICO and described the pair of meetings — first with the House GOP and then with Senate Republicans — said Trump's remarks were light on policy details, and he did not directly address his interest in repealing the Inflation Reduction Act.” [E&E News, 6/13/24 (=)]
Courts & Legal |
Oil lobby groups sue over Biden EV push — “Oil and gas lobbying groups are suing the Biden administration over its effort to move the nation toward electric vehicles (EVs). In two separate filings, trade groups representing the oil and gas industry challenged a rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that aims to shift new car sales toward electric vehicles.” [The Hill, 6/13/24 (=)]
Vehicle & Engine Manufacturers |
Ford ends EV dealership program that required hefty investment to sell electric models — “Ford Motor is ending a controversial electric vehicle dealership program that initially asked store owners to invest upward of $1 million to sell EVs. The ‘EV-certified’ program was announced in September 2022 by Ford CEO Jim Farley amid high demand for the vehicles, low supplies and industry-wide optimism for all-electric cars and trucks. That optimism, however, has not panned out as expected.” [CNBC, 6/13/24 (=)]
Ford nixes Model e dealer program, letting all US retailers sell EVs — “All Ford Motor Co. dealerships in the United States will be able to sell the automaker's electric vehicles effective July 1 with its decision to sunset the voluntary Model e certification program, a reversal signifying the bumpy road toward EV adoption. The change announced Thursday will double the number of U.S. Ford dealers eligible to sell EVs to 2,800. The initiative launched in 2022 required dealers on average to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in training, charging stations and other equipment to support consumer education and sales and service of EVs. Dealers that didn't make the required investments weren't eligible to sell EVs.” [Detroit News, 6/13/24 (=)]
Ford backs Biden clean truck rule in court — “One of the nation’s largest automakers is once again coming to the defense of the Biden administration’s efforts to cut tailpipe emissions from vehicles. In a brief filed Wednesday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Ford said it supports EPA’s efforts to regulate greenhouse gases and other emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. The company’s motion to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the rule comes after the automaker last month told the court that EPA’s new rule for passenger cars and trucks would create a level regulatory playing field.” [E&E News, 6/14/24 (=)]
Ford expands EV offerings to all US dealers to help juice sales — “Ford Motor will sell its lineup of electric vehicles through all 2,800 of its U.S. dealers in a bid to boost sales of battery-powered models now being shunned by mainstream buyers. The automaker is scrapping a plan that required dealers to invest as much as $1.2 million in their stores in order to qualify to receive models such as the electric Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning plug-in pickup. Roughly half of Ford’s retailers had signed up for that program.” [E&E News, 6/14/24 (=)]
Tesla Shareholders Approve Big Stock Package for Musk — “Tesla shareholders have reaffirmed a pay award of more than $45 billion for Elon Musk, the chief executive, after it was thrown out in a legal challenge. The vote result, announced at Tesla’s annual meeting at its headquarters in Austin, Texas, on Thursday, is a strong sign that shareholders still believe in Mr. Musk, and it could persuade the judge who voided the award to reinstate it.” [New York Times, 6/13/24 (=)]
Elon Musk Says Trump Calls Him and Is a Cybertruck Fan — “Elon Musk shouted-out Donald Trump while addressing his legion of followers and Tesla Inc. shareholders during the carmaker’s annual meeting, saying the former president calls him often and is a ‘huge fan’ of the Cybertruck.” [Bloomberg, 6/13/24 (=)]
States & Local |
9 new electric vehicle charging sites to be built in Connecticut: CTDOT — “Hartford, Meriden, and Waterbury are among the cities getting new electric vehicle charging stations, Governor Ned Lamont announced Thursday. The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) selected nine applicants to build electric vehicle charging stations across the state. The conditional awards total more than $5 million.” [WTNH, 6/13/24 (=)]
Lamont announces over $5M in funding for electric vehicle charging stations in 9 Connecticut towns — “A total of more than $5 million will be distributed to nine locations across Connecticut to build electric vehicle charging stations, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Thursday.” [WTIC-TV, 6/13/24 (=)]
Public Feedback Sought On Second Phase Of Deploying Electric Vehicle Charging Stations In N.C. — “State transportation officials want the public’s feedback on deploying the second phase of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in North Carolina. The N.C. Department of Transportation will host a webinar from 3:00-4:30 p.m. June 26. Those interested are asked to register for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI) Community Engagement webinar. The upcoming webinar will cover NEVI requirements and the benefits of having EV chargers in communities. People can give their opinions on the program, including how NCDOT should engage with communities.” [WHKY-Radio, 6/13/24 (=)]
Ohio to Spend $169 Million Building Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Near Highways in Next Five Years — “Ohio should be an easier state to drive in for Tesla, Rivian and other EV owners by the end of the decade. That's the overall goal underlying an announcement of a massive funding package by state electric vehicle advocates Wednesday morning, one that intends to inject hundreds of millions of dollars into bringing Ohio's lackluster EV charging station stock up to speed. And the data doesn't lie.” [Cleveland Scene, 6/13/24 (=)]
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