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On Friday, General Motors proposed a national zero emission program that would significantly expand the current nine-state framework and encourage automakers to introduce more electrified vehicles.
In a statement, GM said the National Program for zero emission vehicles (NZEV) "could potentially place more than seven million long-range vehicles [electric vehicles] on the road by 2030, resulting in a cumulative incremental reduction of 375 million tonnes of CO2 emissions between 2021 and 2030 compared to the existing ZEV program. "
For the moment, the ZEV program is limited to California and nine other states.
What is the ZEV? To learn more about the program, see this handbook published by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
GM presented this proposal as part of its comments on the SAFE (Affordable and Fuel Efficient Safer) Rule for Model Vehicles 2021-2026 Model Years, Passenger Cars and Light Trucks, a process put in place by the Government of Canada. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to review federal fuel economy standards established under the Obama administration.
The Trump administration has reopened the review process, a decision made by the auto industry. Some environmental groups opposed the movement.
Trump vs California vs. the automotive industry
But automakers have also found themselves in the awkward position of facing a political confrontation between Trump and California, which is derogating from the EPA to set its own emissions standards. This prerogative dates back to the adoption of the Clean Air Act in 1963. Since the California motor vehicle market is very important, many other states follow suit, making it a de facto national standard.
The prospect of revocation of the derogation has created a nightmarish scenario for car manufacturers – in which they would be forced to design and design vehicles to several standards, if California maintained its own standards while in the rest of the country they were canceled.
In this context, GM's proposal achieves two objectives.
- First, it seeks to create a national emissions solution based on the existing and market-based ZEV credit system.
- Secondly, it supports GM's ambitious goal, namely the introduction of 20 new electric vehicles by 2023, as well as the plan of the Director General, Mary Barra, to promote "the zero accident, zero emissions and congestion ".
GM provided details on the proposal, including an increase in ZEV credits for the 50 states, "from 7% in 2021, increasing by 2% per year to 15% by 2025, then 25%". # 39; here 2030 ". The program "will complete when the goal of 25% will be achieved, or based on a determination that the cost of the battery or infrastructure goals are not achievable on schedule," said the car manufacturer.
NZEV credits would be "modeled on the current ZEV program: vehicle credits, based on EV range, as well as average, banking and trading".
The plan also provides for the creation of a zero emissions working group.
Addressing climate change with an industrial strategy led by the United States
"We believe in a policy approach that better fosters US innovation and launches an indispensable national discussion on the development and deployment of electric vehicles in this country," said Executive Vice President Mark Reuss. "It is time for national policy to tackle climate change, with an industrial strategy that strengthens US leadership in technology offering the most benefits: electrification."
Reuss added that GM is not "still". He noted that the automaker was already reducing the weight of its car and trucks from 400 to 500 pounds. and by developing new engine technologies, as well as engaging in a new electric battery design for vehicles that will follow the launch of the Chevy Bolt EV.
At a conference with reporters on Thursday to discuss the NZEV's proposal, he also said that if this idea were adopted, it would encourage more car manufacturers to focus on electric vehicles and make their efforts more effective. For GM, NZEV credits could create a new source of revenue, helping the automaker to offset some of the costs of vehicle development and the creation of an EV charging infrastructure.
"It could eliminate the uncertainties," he said. "We are betting now, but there is a lot of uncertainty and it can destroy the capital."
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