The automotive industry’s sluggish embrace of electric vehicles (EVs) and continued lobbying against policies supporting their adoption has cast a shadow over global efforts to mitigate climate change. A recent report by InfluenceMap, a nonprofit think tank, reveals a concerted effort by major automakers, particularly in Japan, to undermine EV policies, thereby endangering global climate targets.
InfluenceMap’s analysis scrutinizes the climate policy engagement strategies of fifteen of the world’s largest automakers across key regions, including Australia, the EU, Japan, India, South Korea, the UK, and the US. The findings are clear: the industry’s attempts to dilute climate legislation has considerably weakened the ambition of key policies.
The tenacity of the opposition is concerning, with ten of the fifteen automakers receiving a grade of D or D+ due to intense lobbying against EV adoption. Toyota, in particular, has emerged as the principal opponent, actively driving opposition to climate regulations promoting battery electric vehicles in multiple regions. In contrast, Tesla stood apart from its peers, scoring a B for positive climate advocacy.
The report also details how Japanese automakers, with their focus on hybrids and hydrogen-powered vehicles, lag significantly behind in the transition to EVs. Their global advocacy strategies aim to extend the relevance of internal combustion engine vehicles, with future production forecasts failing to align with the International Energy Agency’s target of 66% EVs by 2030 to limit climate change to 1.5°C. Suzuki is expected to produce only 10% EVs by 2030, Honda 24%, Toyota 29%, and Mazda 30% by 2030 at the current pace.
Moreover, industry associations act as a buffer for automakers, engaging in aggressive lobbying against stringent climate rules. For example, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries in Australia and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation in the US have been instrumental in weakening emissions standards. This shielding allows automakers to avoid direct public backlash while still hindering progress on climate policy.
One of the most insidious aspects revealed by InfluenceMap is the industry’s push for regulations favoring larger vehicles. The larger SUVs and trucks are more profitable for automakers, yet they burn more fuel, contribute more to pollution, and, in the case of EVs, require larger batteries, further increasing emissions and mining activities.
Despite the bleak outlook presented by the InfluenceMap report, it is not without a glimmer of hope. BMW, Mercedes, and Tesla are forecasted to produce enough EVs by 2030 to align with climate goals.
Relevant articles:
– Automakers Continue To Lobby For Global Heating, Against EVs , CleanTechnica, 05/15/2024
– Toyota’s Environmental Impact Continues to Deteriorate With Lowest Climate Lobbying Score, Tech Times, 05/14/2024
– Toyota once again ranked as worst automaker on climate lobbying globally, Electrek, 05/14/2024
– Legacy Car Companies Sabotaging EV Transition: A Global Wake, WebProNews, 05/14/2024
– Biden ratchets up tariffs on Chinese EVs, solar, batteries, E&E News by POLITICO, 05/14/2024