VW threatens to leave major automaker lobby over electric vehicle policies

Volkswagen is one of the traditional manufacturers most invested in electric vehicles. They are now threatening to leave a major automaker lobby on their electric vehicle policies.

Car manufacturers have been promoting policies to slow the adoption of electric vehicles through lobbying groups for years.

More recently, automobile manufacturers badociations have opposed efforts to increase average fuel consumption, which would have forced the construction of electric vehicles in large quantities.

It is interesting to note that several automakers have claimed to be all-in-one for electric cars while indirectly supporting these lobbying efforts.

Now, Volkswagen seems to be aware of this problem and is pressuring the German Automotive Industry Association (VDA), a powerful lobbying group in Germany, to promote electric vehicles.

The German Welt reported (Translated from German):

"The list of criticisms made by Volkswagen is long. The badociation must first and foremost move away from the strategy of "technological openness" and ensure that all armed forces focus exclusively on the application of the electric battery car. The development and promotion of vehicles equipped with fuel cells and gas engines or other environmentally friendly variants should be discontinued. "This overloads the industry," says VW director Herbert Diess. "

In short, VW wants the badociation to stop pushing "alternative fuel" vehicles and focuses on battery-powered electric vehicles.

The VDA responded by saying that "other engine and fuel solutions remain in the field of view", but they plan to meet with VW shortly to discuss the issue.

Electrek's Take

Here. I have often pointed out this problem and I was surprised that some builders have not seen the hypocrisy.

When GM announced its intention to make the "all-in-one electric vehicle", a lobby that they supported was pressuring the EPA and the Trump administration to respect them. the fuel consumption requirements of the Obama era that would have forced them to manufacture more electric vehicles.

After reporting this, a GM executive came to tell me that the company did not agree with this effort. I told them that they should leave the group or at least declare themselves publicly against this effort.

He said that there are still many other efforts led by the lobby group that they support and therefore they do not want to do it.

But is there another question more important than this one?

I do not think so. VW has made many mistakes in terms of fuel consumption and electric vehicles over the years, but I think they are going in the right direction.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.