As regulators, policymakers and the auto industry wrestle over the pace of the transition from internal combustion engines to electrification, much is happening that concerns the inevitability of the changeover.
The industry officially has made the move to make Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) the industry standard. Ford, General Motors, Rivian and Volvo have cut deals with Tesla so that their customers will be able to use Tesla’s charging network. Hyundai and Stellantis have said they are considering it. ChargePoint and Electrify America say they are converting to NACS. And the Society of Automotive Engineers says it will develop NACS standards.
GM showed the media the first trim level of its Silverado EV and allowed drive experiences. The truck is ramping up production with deliveries of a fleet Work Truck (WT) set for deliveries this summer, with the retail trims delivering in the fall. The Silverado EV has a range of up to 450 miles (725 km) on a single charge, far outpacing what is available from the Ford F-150 Lightning pickup.
Meantime, Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO John Bozzella predicts that if the EPA’s proposed regulations for cutting greenhouse emissions are finalized as is, it will give an advantage to China because the supply chain and U.S. battery manufacturing won’t be far enough along for U.S. automakers to meet the demands of the rule.
The EPA has proposed cutting vehicle emissions by 56% over 2026 levels. The agency estimates that would result in 60% of new vehicles being electric by 2030 and 67% by 2032.
All of these issues are covered in Episode 5 of the WardsAuto Podcast. Host David Kiley talks to Ward’s Intelligence Sustainability Analyst Christie Schweinsberg about the move to NACS, as well to Silverado EV Chief Engineer Nicole Kraatz about the development and drive characteristics of the Silverado BEV.
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