EVA Newsroom 

EVA celebrates another step forward in cleaning up the transportation sector with EPA’s approval of the Advanced Clean Cars II waiver

12/18/24

Washington, DC — Today, in another step forward in protecting the public from health-harming pollution from the transportation sector, the EPA approved a waiver of preemption for the Advanced Clean Cars II program. The EVA appreciates the EPA and the Biden-Harris administration’s work to reaffirm states’ authority under the Clean Air Act to adopt and implement their own clean vehicle and air quality regulations.

The ACCII standard requires manufacturers to deliver a gradually increasing percentage of new zero-emission vehicles to participating states each year. The program phases in a 100% sales requirement for battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by model year 2035. Sales of used cars are not affected by the program.

ACCII also includes updates to the LEV program (LEV IV) that strengthen pollution standards for gas-powered cars and passenger trucks, in order to continue to reduce toxic tailpipe emissions.

For nearly 50 years, California has had the authority to establish vehicle pollution standards that are at least as protective as the federal standards, and states that are out of compliance with federal air quality targets have had the explicit right granted under the Clean Air Act to protect their residents’ health by choosing California’s standards.

EVA President Elaine Borseth released the following statement in support of state-level standards for light-duty vehicles: “Toxic tailpipe pollution worsens health inequalities and imposes real economic costs on states. Vehicle pollution standards provide an effective approach for states to tackle these issues, supported by more than 50 years of precedent under the Clean Air Act. While we always advocate for EVs and fossil fuel free transportation, no matter what you choose to drive, we all need clean air — so EPA’s approval of this important waiver benefits us all.”

5,000+ EV Proponents Call out General Motors on Stalled Electrification Transition, Demand EVs Now

8/12/2024

Today, 5,290 environmental advocates and electric vehicle proponents sent a petition to General Motors CEO Mary Barra and fellow GM executives, calling on the automaker to recommit to its previously stated EV commitments and bring affordable electric vehicles to market now. The petition, led by the Center for Biological Diversity, the Electric Vehicle Association, Interfaith Power & Light, and Public Citizen, asks Barra to stop reneging on promises that would help mitigate the transportation industry’s impact on the climate.

Despite the fact that GM’s Q2 2024 sales report showed record EV sales up 34% from Q1 and 40% year-over-year, in June, Barra said that the company's plan to go 100% electric by 2035 will now play out "over decades.” Then this month, GM also backtracked on its goal of producing 1 million EVs by the end of 2025.

“Since GM reneges on its promises to make EVs and stokes global warming with gas guzzlers, it should rename it’s Chevy Blazer the 'Pants on Fire' and its hulking Denali truck the 'Denial.'” said Dan Becker, Director of the Safe Climate Transport Campaign at the Center for Biological Diversity.

"As electric vehicle as well as environmental advocates, we recognize the urgency of combating climate change and the critical role that affordable electric vehicles play in this battle. The petition to General Motors is a call to action for GM to uphold its commitments and lead the industry by example. Despite record EV sales, the recent backtracking on key EV production goals is a concerning step away from the progress we need. We urge GM to stay true to its vision of a fully electric future, not just for the benefit of consumers but for the health of our planet," said Elaine Borseth, President of the Electric Vehicle Association.

"We have a sacred responsibility to care for this planet, our common home. General Motors shares in this responsibility and yet, so far, they have only made empty promises. Electric vehicles are a critical component to curbing emissions and addressing climate change. We are calling on General Motors to be a leader—build and market affordable and reliable electric vehicles. This is the future we need," said Bill Bradlee, Senior Organizing Director at Interfaith Power & Light.

"The auto industry is electrifying today–not decades from now,” said Adam Zuckerman, senior clean vehicles campaigner with Public Citizen’s Climate Program. "GM’s backtracking on its common sense EV commitments fails consumers, investors, and the planet. By ignoring skyrocketing consumer demand for electric vehicles, GM is letting down its consumers, who are demanding a fossil-free future, and its investors, who are counting on the automaker to keep its word. It is also failing future generations, who cannot wait decades for GM to take climate change seriously. We urge GM to shift out of reverse and back into drive on an electric future."

The full letter can be found here.

PRESS CONTACT: autoaccountability@berlinrosen.com 

EVA applauds EPA's finalization of Light-Duty Vehicle Standards, advancing cleaner transportation

3/20/2024 

San Diego, CA - Americans deserve a bright and healthy future, and strong cleaner car standards will help get us there. Cleaner cars have lower operating costs, improve air quality, and help fight the climate crisis. EPA finalizing strong standards for passenger vehicles is just one more step forward in cleaning up the transportation sector to protect our health and climate; we look forward to continuing the momentum as we move toward a zero-emission future.

These new multi-pollutant tailpipe emissions standards are projected to prevent 7.2 billion tons of greenhouse gas pollution from being emitted into the atmosphere — the largest gross reduction of climate emissions by any one rule in American history. Health-harming particle pollutants from car exhaust will also be drastically cut by 95%, averting thousands of premature deaths, and creating $13 billion in annual public health benefits.  

Elaine Borseth, President of the Electric Vehicle Association, released the following statement in support of strong federal standards for light-duty vehicles:

“With today’s adoption of the clean cars rule, the EPA and the Biden Administration are taking another important step to protect Americans across the country — particularly those living or working near toxic transportation hubs. We applaud the EPA for continuing to advance strong standards to cut air and climate pollution from the transportation sector.”

Over 1,500 Electric Vehicle Drivers Express Support for EPA Clean Car Standards

With the clean car standards set to be released imminently, Electric Vehicle Association members are calling on auto dealers, industry lobbyists and car companies to stop lobbying against progress on electrification.

3/14/2024

CARLSBAD, CA – Over 1,500 electric vehicle (EV) drivers and members of the Electric Vehicle Association signed onto a petition supporting proposed environmental regulations that would speed up the transition to EVs and are demanding that U.S. auto dealers, car companies and industry lobbyists stop lobbying against a zero-emission future. This month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will release new clean car standards that would put the U.S. on route to zero emissions.

Last fall, thousands of U.S. auto dealerships signed a letter calling on President Biden to scale back the proposed environmental regulations, claiming to "reflect the voice of [their] customers," yet the claims are a complete contradiction of consumer trends. Four-in-ten Americans already say that they are ready to go electric, and, in 2023, Americans purchased 1.2 million EVs, a record high and 46% increase from 2022. Leading U.S. automakers like General Motors, Ford and their lobbying association – the Alliance for Automotive Innovation – are also undermining the EPA's proposal, despite the fact that these standards are in line with GM’s own pledge to exclusively offer electric vehicles by 2035 and seemingly on track with Ford's public goal for 40%-50% of its global vehicle volume to be fully electric by 2030.

“Consumers continue to make it clear – we want EVs now. Electric vehicles are the key to ensuring we create a cleaner, greener future for our planet and future generations,” said Elaine Borseth, President of the Electric Vehicle Association. "It is time that the auto industry stop blaming consumers for a lack of progress on electrification and join millions of Americans in the EV transition. EV drivers support the EPA clean car standards and so should their favorite car companies."

Additionally, the passage of these standards would have a sweeping environmental impact, reducing toxic emissions necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and keep the air safe. The American Lung Association noted that if all consumers were to switch to zero-emissions vehicles by 2035 hundreds of infants’ lives would be saved and millions of children would breathe easier across the U.S.

One EV owner from Las Vegas, NV who signed onto the petition said: "The nature of the letter is immediately suspect when you look in greater detail at the dealerships included. When brands like Volvo, who have shown consistent commitment to electrification, are included in this letter, it puts the entire campaign in doubt. In fact, I’ve reached out to over a dozen dealers in Nevada, and I’ve had at least three say that they either didn’t know about the letter, didn’t know they were included in the letter, or were 'given no choice in the matter.'”

The full petition can be found here.

PRESS CONTACT: autoaccountability@berlinrosen.com

Electric Vehicle Association Criticizes Toyota, Koji Sato for Promoting Gas-Powered Hybrids over Electric Vehicles at L.A. Auto Show

11/20/23

San Diego, CA - Toyota announced last week a plan to exclusively sell its popular Camry sedan as a gas-powered hybrid, as part of its ongoing campaign to extend the use of gas-powered cars and slow the transition to an all-electric vehicle (EV) future. In response, Electric Vehicle Association President Elaine Borseth released the following statement:

“Toyota’s commitment to gas-powered hybrid vehicles is unacceptable. Right now, Toyota is manufacturing a $24,000, all-electric sedan in China. But instead of bringing that vehicle to the United States, its big “splash” at the Los Angeles Auto Show is announcing its Camry sedan will only be sold as a gas-powered hybrid going forward. This is a total failure in leadership by the world’s largest automaker.

American consumers overwhelmingly want affordable, all-electric vehicle options. Toyota is making one right now for Chinese consumers. But instead of meeting EV demand in the U.S., they’re trying to steer American customers back towards gas-powered options with misleading marketing and lobbying against efforts to speed up the transition to all-electric vehicles. To distract consumers from its EV failures, it is trying to rebrand its decades-old gas-powered hybrids as “electrified” cars.

Their reluctance is costing them customers – Toyota is now the most traded-in brand for consumers buying all-electric cars. Many of our members begrudgingly gave up their Toyotas – and walked away after years of fierce brand loyalty – due to the company’s lack of EV options.

This hybrid Camry announcement is also a failure of imagination from a company that once led the way in green vehicle technology. While its largest competitors continue to roll out new and exciting all-electric options, Toyota is hawking 20th century vehicle technology. When Toyota CEO Koji Sato took over the company, he made big promises on EVs. Not only has he failed to deliver, he seems to be headed down the same anti-EV path as his predecessor.

American consumers deserve the same EV options Toyota is already making for consumers in other parts of the world. It’s time for Toyota to get serious about electric vehicles and show up for American car buyers.”

Electric Vehicle Association Criticizes General Motors, Mary Barra for Slashing Electric Vehicle Investments and Production Targets

10/31/2023

San Diego, CA – General Motors announced this week a sweeping rollback of its widely-publicized vehicle electrification efforts. This includes the cancellation of several projects and delays on production for key models like the all-electric Equinox, which will also likely come to market as $5,000-15,000 more expensive than GM initially promised, despite calls by electric vehicle enthusiasts for affordable EVs. In response, Electric Vehicle Association President Elaine Borseth released the following statement:

“As electric vehicle (EV) owners and enthusiasts, our disappointment in General Motors and CEO Mary Barra cannot be overstated. GM’s decision to dramatically scale back its EV investments and production targets – while ramping up pressure on the federal government to roll back critically important vehicle emissions standards – is a complete dereliction of leadership and responsibility. GM has broken its promises and betrayed the trust of the people who loudly supported their decision to transition away from gas-powered cars and trucks.

"It is particularly stunning to see GM’s about-face on EVs after they spent years boasting about their plan to go all-electric. They were thrilled to collect countless glowing headlines about their focus on the future of clean transportation, but rarely lived up to their own hype. Rather than stick to their widely-publicized pledges, GM has decided it is easier to cut bait and blame others for their failures. They’ve tried to pin their EV struggles on UAW laborers asking for fair wages despite enormous profitability. They’re complaining of soft demand for EVs when they’re poised to deliver more EVs in Q4 than ever before – and hit another annual EV sales record.

"The transportation industry is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Solving the climate crisis starts and ends with automakers getting serious about vehicle electrification and putting an end to the use of gas-powered engines. The time for a gradual transition was decades ago – and GM vehemently opposed any efforts to reduce emissions to protect their bottom line. Once again, they are lobbying to stop meaningful efforts by our leaders to get the climate crisis under control and putting their profits over our health and safety. As one of the world’s largest automakers, they have a responsibility to their customers and their communities to be a part of the solution.

"We expected better from General Motors.”