In 2023, workers in the automotive industry nationwide staged prolonged strikes. The United Auto Workers (UAW) union negotiated with the prominent Detroit automakers—Stellantis, Ford, and General Motors—and achieved significant concessions. The dissatisfaction among workers stemmed partly from President Joe Biden’s directives regarding electric vehicles. A recent report suggests that the President is preparing to amend certain aspects of his climate change agenda, aiming to address concerns raised by the workers.
According to reports, the Biden Administration plans to extend the deadline for automakers to boost electric vehicle sales in the coming years. They are not expected to mandate an increase in electric vehicle sales until after 2030. Sources familiar with the plan informed The New York Times that the administration also intends to ease restrictions on tailpipe emissions, originally aimed at encouraging a transition away from gas-powered vehicles among Americans.
As per insiders, the administration intends to unveil the new regulation by early spring, well ahead of the presidential election. Union workers and other stakeholders expressed apprehension that the shift to electric vehicles could result in job losses within the industry. Moreover, automakers were caught off guard by a decline in consumer demand, an unforeseen consequence following the president’s push for green energy.
The typical cost of an electric vehicle exceeds $50,000. To contextualize, the average yearly income in the US stands slightly above $59,000, yet over 11% of the population resides at or below the poverty threshold. Consequently, these vehicles are beyond the reach of millions of working-class Americans.
Concerns regarding fires in electric vehicles are significant due to their heightened danger. Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci addressed incidents within the state during an interview with 11 News Investigates. He highlighted that fires in these vehicles propagate rapidly and pose an explosion risk.
Moreover, electric vehicles struggle in colder climates, posing challenges for ownership in extensive regions of the country. A study conducted by the American Automobile Association revealed that these vehicles can experience a reduction of up to 40% in their range in 20-degree weather, particularly when the cabin heater is activated. Given these limitations, it’s understandable why many Americans continue to opt for gas-powered vehicles.
