GM's Urgent Alert: California's EV Regulations May Be Detrimental to You | Carscoops

      The automaker claims that these standards threaten its operations.

      General Motors (GM) aims to prevent California from implementing its own emissions regulations, arguing that it negatively impacts business and restricts consumer choices.

      California intends to prohibit the sale of new gasoline vehicles by 2035, and other states are joining in—but there is dissent regarding this plan.

      Electric vehicle (EV) sales are progressing slowly, lagging behind set targets as the transition to electric power is taking longer than anticipated.

      The move towards widespread electrification seems inevitable. However, numerous lawmakers are attempting to impede this progress. Contributing to this is General Motors, which is producing thousands of EVs annually. A recently revealed email highlights the company's push for its employees to become politically active. GM hopes to gather sufficient support to persuade the government to prevent California from establishing its own emission regulations.

      California has a long history of implementing such measures. In 2022, it mandated that automakers had just over a decade to adapt. By 2035, the state plans to eliminate the sale of new gas-powered vehicles. While this may initially seem beneficial for EV sales, the initiative has garnered criticism from several parties, including General Motors.

      Conflict Between California and Detroit

      In an email to its white-collar workers obtained by The Wall Street Journal, GM expressed, “We need your help! Emissions standards that do not reflect market realities are a significant threat to our business by limiting consumer choice and making vehicles less affordable.” It's important to note that California is not alone in this approach; 11 other states have also agreed to implement similar plans. Currently, GM and several lawmakers are advocating to strip California of its authority to set its own standards, thereby affecting the other participating states.

      In a statement, a GM spokesperson made the company's position explicit: “GM believes in customer choice, and we continue to focus on providing the best and most extensive range of vehicles available.” This aligns with the automaker's stance, even when it previously backed California's proposals. Clearly, a unified national standard would benefit automakers, as it would eliminate the need to navigate different regulations across various states.

      Government representatives argue that California's standards are disconnected from reality. Data supports this assertion; California has set a goal for 35 percent of all vehicle sales to be electric by 2026, yet EVs currently account for only 20 percent of new car sales, even in a state where EVs are much more favored compared to others.

      EV sales in North America are growing at a slower rate than in many other regions worldwide. While the shift to electrification seems certain, it likely lies further ahead than initially anticipated.