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Policy Moves on Electric Cars | Earth Wise

February 26, 2021 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

The transition to electric vehicles is underway

In recent times, there have been several significant events affecting the transition to electric vehicles.  The new administration has made aggressive moves toward fighting climate change.  Wall Street investors have placed more value on Tesla stock than that of GM, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Ford combined.  China, the world’s largest car market, recently mandated that most new cars must be powered by electricity within 15 years.

Against this background, the CEO of General Motors announced in late January that the company will aim to sell only zero-emission cars and trucks by 2035.

This announcement took the rest of the auto industry by surprise.  In the past, the industry tended to present a united message on emissions and other policy issues.  This time around, GM has stepped out in front of the issue.

GM has already committed to spending $27 billion to introduce 30 electric vehicle models by 2025 and is building a plant in Ohio to make batteries for those cars and trucks.

A key driver in the GM decision, no doubt, was an executive order signed by President Biden on his first day of office.  The order directed the Environmental Protection Agency to immediately begin developing tough new tailpipe pollution regulations, designed to reduce the nation’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Even before the change in administration, five other major automakers – BMW, Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, and Volvo – had already legally bound themselves to tougher fuel economy standards in a deal with California.  Those companies committed to an average fuel economy of 51 miles per gallon in 2026.

While no other large automaker has set a specific target date for selling only electric vehicles, many of them are moving in that direction.  The rapid growth of Tesla is an indicator of where the auto industry is heading.

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G.M. Announcement Shakes Up U.S. Automakers’ Transition to Electric Cars

Photo, posted July 29, 2017, courtesy of Steve Jurvetson via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

California vs. Fossil Fuels

September 19, 2018 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/EW-09-19-18-California-vs-Fossil-Fuels.mp3

California has led the way in deploying and committing to clean energy for a long time.  In August its legislature strengthened that commitment by passing a bill to stop using fossil fuels entirely by 2045.   It is the second state to do so, following Hawaii.  The bill still needs to be passed by the Senate and signed by the governor.  Both actions are expected to occur.

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The Fight For Greener Cars

June 28, 2018 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/EW-06-28-18-The-Fight-for-Greener-Cars.mp3

U.S. automakers have always been reluctant partners in the nation’s efforts to reduce air pollution and improve fuel efficiency. There have been struggles for decades between the carmakers and the government in setting Corporate Average Fuel Economy (or CAFÉ) standards.  During the Obama administration, some of the most demanding fuel economy and emissions standards were mandated.

[Read more…] about The Fight For Greener Cars

China And Electric Cars

December 19, 2017 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/EW-12-19-17-China-and-Electric-Cars.mp3

While American politicians were voting on eliminating tax credits for buyers of electric vehicles, auto executives from around the world were gathering to make ambitious plans to sell more electric cars in China.

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Energy Intensity

September 7, 2016 By WAMC WEB

https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/EW-09-07-16-Energy-Intensity.mp3

Every stage of civilization is characterized by its use of energy.   From burning wood to steam engines to our electrified society, energy is behind everything we do.  Over time, human society has become increasingly energy intensive.  As our standards of living have improved and as we overcome the effects of weather – either cold or warm – it takes more and more energy to live the lives we lead.

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The Struggle For Fuel Economy

May 31, 2016 By WAMC WEB

https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/EW-05-31-16-Struggle-For-Fuel-Economy.mp3

Five years ago, the Obama Administration announced that the Corporate Average Fuel Economy or CAFE standard for the year 2025 would be 54.5 miles-per-gallon.   They estimated that improving the average fuel economy of cars and light-duty trucks to this level would save car owners $1.7 trillion at the pump and eliminate more than 6 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

[Read more…] about The Struggle For Fuel Economy

We Like Cheap Gas

February 10, 2016 By WAMC WEB

https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/EW-02-10-16-Cheap-Gas.mp3

The major auto makers agreed several years ago to a goal of achieving average fuel economy of over 54 miles per gallon by 2025.  Motivated by the desire to reduce emissions, getting twice as many miles out of a gallon of gas makes great sense.

[Read more…] about We Like Cheap Gas

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