By Steven Symes 
California’s notorious gas car ban, which would mandate all new passenger vehicles sold in the state would be EVs, has picked up a new enemy: GM. The auto giant smells blood in the water after the United States House of Representatives voted 246 to 164 to overturn California’s Clean Air Act waiver, which has enabled it to push for a ban on new gas powered cars sold within its borders.
In the meantime, GM says it has a revolutionary new EV battery tech.
While that action flew through the House without much resistance, the Senate is another story. There’s been real concern it might not squeak through there, so General Motors is applying pressure to get it through, reports The Wall Street Journal.
GM CEO Mary Barra knows EV mandates will ultimately hurt the auto industry as well as consumers. With California pushing for such a thing, 11 other states have decided to follow suit. By killing off California’s attempt, the hope is to kill the entire movement.
Not only is GM using its massive lobbying influence to pressure members of the Senate who might be persuaded to vote for revoking California’s Clean Air Act waiver, it’s encouraging employees to contact them and push for it, too.
The Wall Street Journal says the automaker sent out an email to thousands of its employees, calling on them to contact their senators, even providing scripted talking points on the subject.
This is it: with the tide turning, it’s going to take every last bit of effort to stop state governments from forcing people into buying specific types of cars. We’re fine with people buying EVs – that’s their right in a free country.
But we’re not okay with California or any other state twisting the populace’s arms to make them buy electric cars. It’s time for anyone who feels similarly to contact their senators and tell them the same thing. We can end this nonsense and let consumers decide when EVs are good enough for mass adoption.
Image via GM