Are we still convinced that electric vehicles are the best way forward?

[teamzr1]

GM backtracking more on EVs and more on gas-engined models

General Motors Co. will continue making gas engined Cadillac's XT5 at its Spring Hill, Tennessee, plant past 2026, the Detroit automaker has confirmed.
"The current-generation Cadillac XT5, an important part of our global portfolio, will remain in production until the end of 2026," spokesperson Kevin Kelly said in a statement. "The XT5 will continue to live-on as a next-generation gas powered vehicle beyond that timeframe."
Commitment to the compact luxury SUV shows continued investment in gas-powered vehicles as electric vehicle adoption lags in the United States.

Executives had sought to electrify the entire Cadillac fleet and phase out production of its gas-powered lineup
. But driver interest in EVs continues to fall behind industry expectations and likely will drop further as $7,500 EV tax credits end in September and the Trump administration seeks to axe emissions regulations.

"As Cadillac evolves, we will continue to make necessary adjustments to our portfolio to meet customer demand," Kelly said.
Cadillac is discontinuing its entry-level, gas-powered XT4 and three-row XT6 SUVs after this model year.
But executives have said the brand will continue to manufacture the gas-powered midsize XT5 and Escalade SUVs.

 

[teamzr1]

American gas-powered vehicles, including the country's iconic pickup trucks, will not die away as drivers have turned their backs on EVs.
The surge in gas engines is due to Donald Trump's push to exile EVs, so the nation's auto industry can thrive especially in Detroit, the 'car capital' of the world.

US automakers are going back to their roots after switching their focus to electric vehicles that first became popular in 2010, and gained more notice in recent years.
Although EVs are meant to be better for the planet, car manufacturers have had to use more resources to keep up with the fuel-efficient standards.

Ford, a top US car brand based out of Detroit, is already gearing up for the shift and changing its lineup by adding more commercial vehicles and large SUVs and taking out some EVs.
'This is a multibillion-dollar opportunity over the next couple of years,' Jim Farley, the Chief Executive of Ford Motors, said in a call with analysts last week.

Trump's car policy changes came after he announced a 25 percent tariff on imported cars that came into effect in April.
Most electric cars sold in the US are already built domestically, meaning they won’t be affected by the tariff.
Still, there are costs associated with EVs that companies have to front.
Because of the push to move back to gas cars, the auto industry is looking up because the fees that come with EVs will start to lower.

With EVs, the industry has to pay regulatory credits and fuel-economy rule-violation fines.
Ford, GM and Stellantis a Dutch automaker have shelled out about $10 billion on regulatory credits and fuel-economy rule-violation fines since 2022, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Although General Motors has hoped to get rid of internal combustion engines by 2035, the company has since changed its tune and told its investors there are benefits to keeping gas cars in the lineup.

During a recent call, Stellantis, who owns car companies like Jeep and Toyota, highlighted how Trump's Big Beautiful Bill allows them to add more gas-powered vehicles to the mix on dealership lots.
'This will mean to us a lot of additional profit,' Antonio Filosa, the CEO of Stellantis, who started the position in June, said.

In a July 29 memo reviewed by WSJ, Stellantis wrote that they would prefer to satisfy its customers demands over anything.
'In these uncertain times of heavy competition and tariffs, there are auto workers all over the world who would happily trade their uncertainty for our customer demand and company commitment,' the company stated.
In recent months, Stellantis, which also owns Ram, has been dealing with part shortages.

Just last week, the automaker had to add shifts to a factory in Michigan in a bid to speed up production for its famed Ram 1500 trucks.
Although the setback was not specifically related to the regulatory charges, Stellantis will thrive from the surge in gas cars by not having to pay millions for fines and fuel-economy rule violations.

In order to see how the new trend will affect the company, Stellantis plans to keep an eye on the production conflict at the Ram Michigan factory regularly.
Companies aren't the only ones excited about the change, as dealerships are also on board.
'Americans do like buying giant vehicles,' Adam Lee, chairman of Maine-based Lee Auto Malls, told the outlet.
'They’re going to see how many more giant SUVs they can pump out, because they sell a lot of them and make a lot of money on them.'

Despite being excited, Lee said he hopes some EVs will still remain.
'Otherwise, we’re going to find out we’re the only country in the world not embracing fuel-efficient vehicles and EVs,' he said.
With the change, several big brands have back-pedaled with their EV plans as they anticipate the shift.

Mary Barra, the CEO of GM, originally dictated to make the company fully EV in 10 years, but now she is mulling the idea that gas-powered cars could come back into play.
With that, her company continues to roll out EV cars, as she thinks the change will actually give GM a chance to sell more of those vehicles.
'It also gives us the opportunity to sell EV vehicles,' Barra stated while on a recent earnings call.
'Excuse me, ICE vehicles, for longer and appreciate the profitability of those vehicles.'

 

[teamzr1]

Vermont Ends Electric Vehicle Mandate, Sparking Debate Over Progressive Policies**
In a surprising turn of events, Vermont's Governor Phil Scott has issued an executive order halting the state's electric vehicle (EV) sales mandate.

This mandate, which sought to require that 35% of all vehicles delivered to Vermont dealerships be zero-emission by the 2026 model year, has been put on pause amid a growing realization that many states are facing challenges aligning with overly ambitious green energy policies.
The recent decision resonates with a significant trend across several states, including Virginia and Maryland, where similar attempts to adopt California-style mandates have been stalled.

Governor Scott highlighted key concerns from auto manufacturers regarding the state's inadequate charging infrastructure and the lack of technological advancements necessary to fulfill such stringent goals.
“It’s clear we don’t have anywhere near enough charging infrastructure and insufficient technological advances in heavy-duty vehicles to meet current goals,” Scott stated, underscoring the practical considerations behind his decision.

Local auto dealers have also welcomed the news, recognizing that the existing demand for EVs in Vermont simply does not match the regulatory expectations set forth by progressive policymakers.
As data shows, only about 14% of new cars registered in the state last year were zero-emission vehicles.

This predicament raises critical questions: if a state like Vermont boasting a favorable EV charging network cannot support such mandates, what does it mean for the rest of the nation, particularly states heavily reliant on fossil fuels?
Moreover, the potential opportunity for neighboring states that have not adopted California's regulations may allow them to capitalize on Vermont's shift, creating a competitive market for traditional gas-powered vehicles.

In light of these developments, the recent House-passed bill aimed at revoking California's waiver to impose strict emissions regulations further amplifies the changing tide in energy policy.
Indeed, with the Trump administration's strong stance in support of maintaining state autonomy in energy matters, it's evident that the narrative surrounding environmental regulations is undergoing a significant transformation.

As states like Vermont reconsider their paths, one wonders if California Governor Gavin Newsom, currently trying to reshape his image, might soon follow suit in delaying or even scrapping his state’s contentious EV mandates, amidst a broader critique of overreaching environmental regulations.
In a political landscape marked by an increasing pushback against overly ambitious green policies, Vermont's decision sheds light on the practical challenges that many states are grappling with, making it clear that the conversation around energy and climate change needs to evolve beyond ideological boundaries.

 

[Chuffer]

I hope that UK politicians sit up and take note as we don`t have the infrastucture to support mass EV charging either .

 

[CaptainK]

Now if only we can also get the car manufacturers to include a manual gearbox option in all their cars. EVs and Auto Petrol/Diesel cars - currently I personally am not interested in them (unless Ferrari, Lambo, Aston, etc). At the end of the day, public roads are slow places, but a manual gearbox in a normal (non-exotica) car makes it more fun to me.

 

[teamzr1]

According to a recent study by S&P Global, it’s clear that Americans have a strong preference for traditional gas-powered vehicles over electric cars, and this trend is not merely influenced by nostalgia.

The report states that owners of combustion engines are keeping their vehicles for an average of 12.5 years, a remarkable increase from previous trends. This contrasts sharply with electric vehicle owners, who are replacing their vehicles every 3.6 years.

This statistic highlights the confidence Americans have in internal combustion vehicles, prized for their reliability, particularly for long-distance travel. Many households maintain at least one gas-powered car to ensure freedom from the limitations often associated with electric vehicles, such as charging infrastructure and range anxiety.

Price inflation across the board has also played a significant role in this trend. Despite the higher initial costs associated with electric vehicles, the operational reliability and robust performance of traditional cars continue to attract buyers.

The longevity of gas-powered vehicles reflects broader economic realities, including supply chain issues and a decline in new car sales, which dropped by 8% last year. As vehicles age and the desire for new models wanes, it is evident that many consumers are prioritizing practicality and familiar technology over the latest electric offerings.

In any discussion of energy and transportation, it is essential to consider the practical implications for American families. Gas-powered vehicles offer a sense of autonomy that many prefer, especially in an era of fluctuating energy costs and a still-evolving electric vehicle market.

The durability of traditional vehicles reinforces a broader narrative: Americans value choices rooted in practicality, reliability, and freedom, often rejecting trends pushed by policymakers and environmental activists without considering their real-world impacts.

As the automotive landscape shifts and evolves, the conviction of American drivers remains unyielding; they continue to favor what they know works over what is merely trending.

With a fleet of more than 284 million vehicles, this represents an increase of more than three times on the previous year. S&P Global sees this as confirmation of its projections: the average lifespan of vehicles is increasing, due in particular to a slowdown in new car sales.
This is the sixth consecutive year that the average age of vehicles has risen, reaching its highest level since the 2008-2009 crisis. At that time, falling demand had already led to an aging fleet.
According to this study, in 2022, supply difficulties, coupled with a fall in demand against a backdrop of slowing inflation and falling interest rates, have accentuated this phenomenon. Sales of new vehicles then fell by 8% on the previous year, reaching their lowest level in more than ten years, with 13.9 million units sold compared with 14.6 million in 2021.

More frequent changes for a more affluent clientele

Several factors explain this increased retention of combustion-powered cars. One of these is the perceived reliability of these models for long journeys. Many households keep at least one internal combustion car, even if it is driven less frequently, to ensure that they have unrestricted autonomy, particularly over long distances.

Price inflation, for both internal combustion and electric models, also plays a role. On the other hand, electric vehicles are generally replaced more quickly: their replacement cycle is estimated at 3.6 years. This frequent renewal is explained in particular by their higher purchase cost, which attracts customers with greater purchasing power who are prepared to change models regularly. Finally, it’s worth pointing out that the electric vehicle market is in the throes of change.
Every year, new, more efficient and innovative models arrive on the market, encouraging motorists to take the plunge. Brands such as Tesla and BYD are contributing to this craze. Once converted to electric power, the vast majority of drivers remain loyal to this type of engine.

In a political climate where energy policies are continually debated, this study provides a timely reminder of consumers’ unwavering preferences. It underscores the importance of considering the market's response as the nation navigates its energy future.

 

[Chuffer]

Keeping vehicles longer reduces the carbon footprint of manufacture and disposal of each vehicle too . That should help appease the `Greenies ` !!

 

[teamzr1]

Now other nameplates are backtracking on their mandate about EVs

Ford Motor Co. is delaying the launch of its next-generation electric commercial van and electric full-size pickup truck to 2028, the Dearborn automaker confirmed Thursday.

They are the latest postponements in a wave of EV product cancellations and delays as the automotive industry realizes demand for expensive EVs with high-cost, large batteries needed to address range anxiety and the charging network to support them just isn't there in the eyes of many U.S. consumers.
That trend likely is set to accelerate with the Trump administration's work to dismantle regulations around greenhouse gas emissions and incentives for EV transactions in what he has characterized as an effective "EV mandate."

Ford nearly a year ago had said it would launch the commercial van in 2026 at its Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake outside Cleveland. At the time, it also had delayed the start of production by 18 months of the full-size pickup truck to the second half of 2027 at the new BlueOval City assembly plant in Stanton, Tennessee, outside Memphis. Pickup prototype production still is set to launch in 2027, Ford spokesperson Jessica Enoch said.
The company communicated about the timing adjustments to suppliers and employees in June, spokesperson Emma Bergg said in a statement.

Ford CEO Jim Farley has said the company won't launch an EV until it can be profitable within a year. The Model e EV division of the company has lost $2.178 billion so far this year. The annual guidance it suspended in May, because of tariffs, for the unit had forecasted a loss of between $5 billion and $5.5 billion.

"Seems they are not optimistic about notable acceleration in EV demand even a couple of years from now," David Whiston, analyst at investment services firm Morningstar Inc., said in an email. "I was hoping they’d tease the pickup truck, but this news makes that less likely they’d show something."

The truck program was known internally as "Project T3" for "trust the truck," a rallying cry for the development team. Farley said it would "revolutionize America's truck" to be simplified and more cost-efficient. BlueOval City was expected to have capacity for 500,000 pickups annually.
Ford has sold under 16,000 F-150 Lightning trucks so far this year. It's sold less than 5,000 E-Transit vans.

A year ago, Ford canceled plans to produce an all-electric, three-row SUV at Oakville Assembly Complex outside Toronto, Ontario, saying it didn't expect the vehicle to be profitable because of the cost associated with the size of its battery, the most expensive part of an EV. Instead, it plans to launch Super Duty trucks there next year.

Farley on an earnings call last week emphasized a multi-energy strategy offering gas-powered, plug-in hybrid, extend-range electric and all-electric vehicles.
"We think that's a much better move than a $60,000 to $70,000 all-electric crossover," he said. "We think that that's really what customers are going to want long-term. And we're investing a lot in more durable ICE powertrains.

It's not just Ford that has changed EV launches. General Motors Co. won't launch additional production of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra electric trucks at Orion Assembly, and is instead building internal combustion engine full-size SUVs and pickups there.
Chrysler parent Stellantis NV also has postponed the launch of its Ram 1500 REV truck. Honda Motor Co. Ltd. also has scaled back EV investment plans from slower-than-expect U.S. demand growth.