U.S. News - TESLARATI https://www.teslarati.com/tag/u-s/ Tesla news, rumors and reviews. SpaceX, Elon Musk, batteries, energy, premium EV market. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 21:11:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://www.teslarati.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/cropped-Teslarati-iOS-White-Leaf-Icon-512x512-32x32.png U.S. News - TESLARATI https://www.teslarati.com/tag/u-s/ 32 32 These automakers are pushing to overturn California’s gas car ban https://www.teslarati.com/automakers-overturn-california-gas-car-ban/ https://www.teslarati.com/automakers-overturn-california-gas-car-ban/#respond Mon, 28 Apr 2025 21:11:33 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=289828 This lobbying group represents Detroit's Big Three automakers, as well as several others selling vehicles in the U.S.

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A lobbying group made up of several automakers is pushing Congress to ban California’s plan to phase out and ban new gas car sales altogether by 2035, ahead of a vote that could also affect the 11 other states that have followed with similar plans.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI), an organization representing the interests of Ford, General Motors (GM), Stellantis, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and several others, recently sent a letter to Congress requesting that it overturn a waiver granted to California letting it set its own emissions rules.

Later this week, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on overturning the waiver granted to California under the 1968 Clean Air Act to impose the tightened standards, according to Reuters. In the previous letter, the AAI argued to Congress that automakers would be “forced to substantially reduce the number of overall vehicles for sale to inflate their proportion of electric vehicle sales,” adding that it would also boost prices and reduce competition in the market.

The waiver, enacted under the Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), allows California to mandate at least 80 percent electric vehicle sales by 2035 under the Clean Air Act. The passage of disapproval of the waiver is being ushered under the Congressional Review Act, and an initial vote in the House of Representatives is set to take place on Wednesday.

READ MORE ON STATE EMISSIONS RULES: Tesla could face emissions credit tax in Washington

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia backed the EPA’s decision to grant the waiver last April, following a challenge from 17 Republican-run states. The group claimed that California was being given unconstitutional regulatory power in the decision, adding that other states didn’t have those same powers.

In December, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear out bids from Valero, the AAI, and other groups to oppose the 2035 California gas car sales ban, which would begin phasing them out in 2026 if the waiver remains in place.

You can see the full list of members of the AAI below, including automakers and a handful of other tech companies.

Companies represented by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI)

Here’s the full list of AAI members, according to the lobbying group’s website:

  • AESC
  • AISIN
  • Aptiv
  • Autoliv
  • BMW Group
  • Bosch
  • Denso
  • Emergency Safety Solutions
  • Ferrari
  • Ford
  • GM
  • Harman
  • Honda
  • Hyundai
  • InEos Automotive
  • Infineon
  • Isuzu
  • Jaguar-Land Rover
  • Kia
  • LG
  • Luminar
  • Magna
  • Mazda
  • McLaren
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Mitsubishi Motors
  • Nissan
  • Nuro
  • Panasonic
  • Porsche
  • Qualcomm
  • RV Industry Association
  • Samsung
  • SiriusXM
  • SK On
  • Stellantis
  • Subaru
  • Texas Instruments
  • Toyota
  • Uber
  • VinFast
  • Volkswagen
  • Volvo
  • Zoox

California proposal to allow self-driving tests for heavy-duty trucks

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This former Tesla engineer now heads a federal tech department https://www.teslarati.com/former-tesla-engineer-federal-tech/ https://www.teslarati.com/former-tesla-engineer-federal-tech/#respond Tue, 04 Feb 2025 18:21:40 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=281968 A former Tesla software engineer is among those recently chosen by Elon Musk for federal positions related to the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and it’s being reported that he is currently looking into the use of AI to identify potential budget cuts. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Thomas Shedd, […]

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A former Tesla software engineer is among those recently chosen by Elon Musk for federal positions related to the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and it’s being reported that he is currently looking into the use of AI to identify potential budget cuts.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Thomas Shedd, a former Tesla software engineer of seven years, as the Director of the Technology Transformation Services (TTS) group at the General Services Administration (via The New York Times).

The group includes around 700 engineering professionals picked by Musk, and Shedd has recently told staffers that AI would play a crucial role in cost-reduction efforts, according to four people who spoke to the Times. He has also said he hopes to create a database of every government contract, though the legality of privacy related to doing so isn’t yet clear.

READ MORE ON DOGE: Predator drone maker urges Elon Musk’s DOGE to reform Pentagon contracting system

Shedd also described any such privacy laws as a “roadblock,” saying that the agency would still work to see what’s possible in that regard, according to a report from Wired.

At the time of writing, Shedd has not responded to Teslarati’s request for comment on his federal role. On his LinkedIn page, Shedd writes that his role at Tesla focused on “software, cameras and teams that run the vehicle and battery factories.”

Musk’s use of former engineering talent in his new federal role comes as the Trump administration has emphasized hopes to utilize more AI across the government, as well as to commit to significant budget-reduction efforts with help from the Tesla CEO.

Over the weekend, Musk also gutted the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), with several senior staff members reportedly being placed on administrative leave.

“USAID is a criminal organization,” Musk wrote in a post on X on Sunday. “Time for it to die.”

He also said over the weekend that the agency was being overseen by “a bunch of radical lunatics,” calling it a “viper’s nest of radical-left marxists who hate America.”

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

Elon Musk responds to Ontario canceling $100M Starlink deal amid tariff drama

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Tesla vs. competition: How many BEVs did OEMs sell in the U.S. in 2024? https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-evs-automakers-sell-us-2024/ https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-evs-automakers-sell-us-2024/#respond Mon, 06 Jan 2025 21:22:46 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=280576 Tesla remained the dominant seller of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in the U.S. last year, with early estimates showing that the company sold more than most of its competitors combined. While data isn’t yet available for every automaker selling BEVs in the U.S., we took the time to compile some of the earliest estimates available for […]

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Tesla remained the dominant seller of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in the U.S. last year, with early estimates showing that the company sold more than most of its competitors combined. While data isn’t yet available for every automaker selling BEVs in the U.S., we took the time to compile some of the earliest estimates available for 2024 BEV sales, giving us an idea of where Tesla’s competitors landed in the year’s sales.

According to Cox Automotive, automakers sold 1.3 million BEVs in the U.S. in 2024, making up 8 percent of the total market share of nearly 16 million vehicles sold across powertrain types. EV sales also jumped in Q4 to 356,000 vehicles, marking a 12 percent jump year over year.

Cox also expects EV deliveries to surpass 1.5 million in the U.S. in 2025, while 2023 deliveries topped out at 1.2 million.

General Motors (GM) and Ford took up the second and third spots in U.S. BEV sales in 2024, both following Tesla, which held first place decisively. GM’s BEV sales were made up of the Chevy Equinox EV, the Chevy Blazer EV, the Chevy Silverado EV, the Cadillac Lyriq, the GMC Hummer EV, the GMC Sierra EV, and the BrightDrop EV600 commercial van. Ford’s BEV sales were comprised of the Mustang Mach-E, the F-150 Lightning, and the E-Transit.

Toyota was one of the few other manufacturers to release specific U.S. and BEV data, with the latter being made up of those from the BZ4X and Lexus RZ. The vast majority of Toyota’s “electrified” vehicles is comprised of hybrid and plugin hybrid powertrains, along with the Mirai which sports a fuel cell powertrain. All of these electrified vehicle types are excluded from the figure below.

Hyundai’s BEV figure was made up of Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and Kona BEV sales, the latter of which is also offered in a hybrid version. The company’s subsidiary Kia had BEV sales including the battery-electric EV6 and EV9, and while the automaker also sells a BEV version of the Niro, it did not separate the vehicle’s hybrid and BEV versions in its report released last week.

It’s worth noting that Tesla doesn’t share figures for individual market sales, though the maker was estimated by Cox Automotive to have sold about 633,000 units to remain the clear leader in the market. Others, such as Lucid and Rivian, deliver the vast majority of their vehicles in the U.S., though they do not break out region-specific figures. Meanwhile, similar estimates for the brands have not yet been shared publicly.

READ MORE ABOUT U.S. BEV SALES: Colorado becomes the #1 state for EV sales, beating California

Audi had 23,152 BEVs sold in the U.S. made up of its e-tron Q4, Q6, Q8, and GT lineups, while its parent company, Volkswagen, sold blank units comprised of the ID.4 and newly launched ID.Buzz, which was only sold in the market in the fourth quarter. BMW sold its battery-electric i4, i5, i7, and iX models in the U.S. last year.

Nissan’s BEVs included the Leaf and the Ariya, which saw year-to-date sales increases of 57 and 47 percent, respectively.

Cox Automotive is also expected to unveil its 2024 EV Sales report in the coming weeks, which should shed light on many of the automakers that have not shared market-specific figures.

You can see the recent estimates from Cox Automotive on the top EV makers in the U.S. in 2024 below, along with some figures directly from each automaker. Additionally, the source of the figures are linked near the bottom of the page.

How many BEVs did automakers sell in the U.S. in 2024?

  1. Tesla: 633,762
  2. GM: 114,432
  3. Ford: 97,865
  4. Hyundai: 61,797
  5. Kia: 56,099
  6. Rivian: 51,442
  7. BMW: 50,981
  8. Nissan: 31,024
  9. Toyota: 28,267
  10. Mercedes-Benz: 21,154
  11. Audi: 23,152
  12. Volkswagen: 18,183

Top 10 EV models sold in the U.S., according to Cox Auto estimates

  1. Tesla Model Y
  2. Tesla Model 3
  3. Ford Mustang Mach-E
  4. Hyundai Ioniq 5
  5. Tesla Cybertruck
  6. Ford F-150 Lightning
  7. Honda Prologue
  8. Chevy Equinox EV
  9. Cadillac Lyriq
  10. Rivian R1S

You can see detailed estimates from Cox Automotive, which were released on January 13.

Audi | BMW | Ford | GM | Hyundai | Lucid | Nissan | Rivian | Tesla | Toyota | Volkswagen

Updated 1/19: Added the latest figures from Cox Automotive estimates.

What are your thoughts? Did I miss any automakers or U.S. sales figures? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

Study reveals less than 1% of EV owners wish to switch back to ICE

 

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Trump’s plans for EV program cuts, global tariffs and more: report https://www.teslarati.com/trump-ev-program-cuts-tariffs-report/ https://www.teslarati.com/trump-ev-program-cuts-tariffs-report/#respond Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:31:42 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=279788 As expected, the transition team for President-elect Donald Trump is now reportedly looking to slash support for electric vehicle (EV) and charging programs set up by the Biden administration, along with lodging global tariffs and pushing to ease regulations on fossil-fuel emissions. The Trump transition team is now looking at plans to ease regulations on […]

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As expected, the transition team for President-elect Donald Trump is now reportedly looking to slash support for electric vehicle (EV) and charging programs set up by the Biden administration, along with lodging global tariffs and pushing to ease regulations on fossil-fuel emissions.

The Trump transition team is now looking at plans to ease regulations on the fossil fuel industry and to cut many EV programs, including the $7,500 EV tax credit, along with lodging tariffs on battery material imports worldwide, according to a document seen by Reuters this week.

As part of efforts to bolster the domestic supply chain for battery materials, many of which are produced in China and are heavily subsidized in the U.S., the transition team has recommended imposing tariffs on all battery materials around the world, before negotiating individual exemptions with allies, as the document shows.

“When he takes office, President Trump will support the auto industry, allowing space for both gas-powered cars and electric vehicles,” said Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for the Trump transition team, in a statement.

RELATED: U.S. Supreme Court to hear challenge on California emission rule waiver

Although Trump campaigned on promises to end the $7,500 federal EV credit and official plans to kill the subsidy were reported last month, the transition team has also called for rolling back the $7.5 billion plan passed under Biden to help aid the buildout of charging stations for EVs.

Instead, the team has said that it would shift this and other funding currently going toward making EVs more affordable toward national defense efforts, including the initiative to secure battery supplies without relying on China. The document notes that these efforts would focus on shifting money toward battery material production, as well as the “national defense supply chain and critical infrastructure.”

The document suggested that the team utilize Section 232 tariffs, which are intended to limit the import of any items related to potential national security threats. Biden recently increased tariffs on several imports related to charging technology and critical minerals for EV batteries, including graphite, “permanent magnets” used in EV motors and in military applications, and lithium-ion batteries, among others, though the tariffs were issued on economic grounds, rather than on those in national security.

The transition team is also looking to waive environmental reviews to accelerate “federally funded EV infrastructure projects,” such as those in battery production and recycling, charging deployment, and manufacturing of critical minerals. Other proposals detailed in the document include:

  • Ditching federal requirements for electrifying government fleets, including Biden’s policy to mandate all federal purchases by zero-emission vehicles by the end of 2027
  • Using the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. to provide financial support for U.S. batteries for EVs
  • Utilizing tariffs as a “negotiating tool” to encourage other markets to consider U.S. auto exports including both gas cars and EVs
  • Ending restrictions on exports of EV battery technology to countries deemed adversaries
  • Ending programs for the Department of Defense attempting to buy or develop electric military vehicle options

How will ending the $7,500 EV tax credit affect Tesla? Musk calls it a benefit

While many have said that ditching the $7,500 tax credit and other policies intended to help spur on the adoption of EVs could hurt Tesla, CEO Elon Musk and others have argued that it may only benefit the company by harming other automakers even more. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said last month that the change would only “enable Tesla to further fend off competition from Detroit,” given its already decisive advantage in EV scale.

In his latest statement regarding EV subsidies, made on X last month, Musk called for the U.S. to “end all government subsidies, including those for EVs, oil and gas.”

Musk also campaigned with Donald Trump during the election and created the political action committee (PAC), dubbed America PAC, to support his candidacy financially. He has since gained a position in what the team has called the Department of Government Efficiency, and he’s expected to play a major role in the upcoming administration.

In a report last week, it was said that the Trump transition team is also considering getting rid of a mandatory reporting measure for automated driving systems, as part of a larger effort to remove regulations and push self-driving vehicle development forward more quickly. An additional report from last month also suggests that Trump is already looking to create federal rules surrounding the rollout of autonomous vehicles, expected to accelerate the deployment of commercial robotaxis and other self-driving technologies.

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

Analysts weigh in on Trump presidency’s effects to U.S. auto sector

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U.S. Supreme Court to hear challenge on California emission rule waiver https://www.teslarati.com/us-supreme-court-challenge-california-emission/ https://www.teslarati.com/us-supreme-court-challenge-california-emission/#respond Sun, 15 Dec 2024 18:36:18 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=279756 The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a challenge from fuel companies against California’s ability to create its own emissions rules, in a case that could set a major precedent for how states handle making their own standards in efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions through electric vehicle (EV) adoption. After the Environmental Protection […]

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The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a challenge from fuel companies against California’s ability to create its own emissions rules, in a case that could set a major precedent for how states handle making their own standards in efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions through electric vehicle (EV) adoption.

After the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted California an exemption from federal air pollution laws in 2022, effectively letting the state set its own vehicle emissions rules, the U.S. Supreme Court last week agreed to listen to a bid from a Valero Energy subsidiary and other fuel groups to challenge the exemption (via Reuters).

Valero’s Diamond Alternative Energy and other associated fuel business lobby groups argue that the waiver oversteps the power of the EPA under the Clean Air Act, under which the federal rules are set. The groups also argued that such a decision would lower demand for their liquid fuels, ultimately inflicting harm on their bottom line.

RELATED: U.S. Congressman urges President Biden to end EV transition goals

In the appeal, the groups also said that California was overstepping its power, acting as a “junior-varsity EPA” by making regulatory decisions to combat climate change and force the adoption of EVs upon consumers—choices the group says the state does not have the right to make.

The decision also comes after the EPA was backed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in April, with the court throwing out a legal challenge against the waiver from a group of 17 Republican-run states. In that appeal, backers also argued that California’s ability to set its own emissions rules gave the state unconstitutional regulatory power, which they said isn’t available to other states.

The waiver has long been a point of contention, originally dating back to a 2013 decision to offer California the waiver. In 2019, the Trump administration rescinded that waiver, before the EPA was given power to reinstate it under the Biden administration in 2022.

California has also been a leader in pushing EV adoption through massive incentives, and an official ruling later in 2022 to ban the sale of new gas cars beginning in 2035. That ruling has since been followed by a handful of other states, including New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington.

Last year, California’s battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales also made up around one-third of all U.S. BEV sales, as led by Tesla.

Passed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the California ban also includes a gradual phase-out of gas vehicles set to begin in 2026, for which the state also required an EPA waiver. California has gained over 75 separate waivers since 1967, through which it has been able to lodge increasingly strict rules surrounding vehicle emissions performance and EV sales.

In February, the EPA actually loosened federal standards requiring automakers to sell a certain ratio of EVs by 2032. Previously, the agency required that automakers make 60 percent of sales come from BEVs and plugin hybrids by 2030, increasing that to 68 percent by 2032. Now, the agency mandates that manufacturers make 50 percent of their overall sales either plugin hybrids or BEVs by 2030.

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

California’s proposed 2035 EV sales mandate faces scrutiny at EPA hearing

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U.S. legislators warn Mexico’s President of Chinese vehicle security threats https://www.teslarati.com/us-warn-mexico-president-chinese-vehicle-security-threats/ https://www.teslarati.com/us-warn-mexico-president-chinese-vehicle-security-threats/#respond Tue, 01 Oct 2024 19:47:40 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=275009 U.S. lawmakers have urged the new Mexican President-elect to address potential national security concerns related to Chinese connected vehicles produced in the country, following similar discussions across multiple countries as software-based vehicles become increasingly common. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office on Tuesday, was urged by a group of 20 Democrats in Congress to […]

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U.S. lawmakers have urged the new Mexican President-elect to address potential national security concerns related to Chinese connected vehicles produced in the country, following similar discussions across multiple countries as software-based vehicles become increasingly common.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office on Tuesday, was urged by a group of 20 Democrats in Congress to begin considering plans for connected vehicles made in Mexico by Chinese automakers, as detailed by Reuters. The group, as led by Michigan Representative Elissa Slotkin and U.S. Senator from Ohio Sherrod Brown, sent a letter to Sheinbaum to create a national review system for connected EV production, and to send a delegation to the U.S. by early 2025 to further discuss the concerns.

“We believe that this body of data, under the control of the Chinese Communist Party, is a national security threat,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter.

RELATED:

BYD requests EV tariff relief extension in Mexico

Others who signed on included U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (WI), Gary Peters (MI), and Debbie Stabenow (MI), among several others. The group has also warned that data collected could be used for surveillance, or in certain extreme cases, they could even be remotely controlled via the internet and internal navigation systems.

Chinese automaker BYD has been considering plans to build a factory in Mexico, which the company estimates would create around 10,000 jobs.

The letter also follows a proposed ban on Chinese and Russian vehicle software made in the U.S. last month, and expected to limit both hardware and software in automobiles using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, satellite, or cellular systems to connect to various networks. Most modern vehicles also include a variety of cameras, microphones, GPS systems, and more, especially as electric vehicles (EVs) continue to increase in popularity.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has warned that these connected systems are highly susceptible to foreign interference.

China has accused the proposal of being in violation of fair trade and market economy guidelines, saying that it’s aimed at stifling competition rather than on national security. Meanwhile, the U.S., Canada, and a handful of countries in Europe have enacted or considered heightened import tariffs on Chinese EVs and battery materials.

The U.S. officially launched a 100-percent tariff on Chinese EVs in May, while the European Union (EU) is set to hold a vote on a roughly 35-percent import tariff on most imported EVs from China this week. In addition, Canada has also imposed a 100-percent tariff on Chinese EVs, and the country has been considering similar talks on banning Chinese software in EVs

Biden administration considers penalties for Chinese EV companies in Mexico

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

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U.S. proposes a ban on Chinese and Russian vehicle software https://www.teslarati.com/us-proposes-ban-chinese-russian-vehicle-software/ https://www.teslarati.com/us-proposes-ban-chinese-russian-vehicle-software/#respond Mon, 23 Sep 2024 19:02:27 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=274215 The U.S. has formally proposed a ban on Chinese- and Russian-made vehicle software after reports last month suggested that such plans could be in the works. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Commerce proposed banning Chinese and Russian software and hardware in vehicles, citing national security threats that it considers “very real,” according to a […]

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The U.S. has formally proposed a ban on Chinese- and Russian-made vehicle software after reports last month suggested that such plans could be in the works.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Commerce proposed banning Chinese and Russian software and hardware in vehicles, citing national security threats that it considers “very real,” according to a report from Automotive News. If passed, the ban would limit both hardware and software from the countries in vehicles that use either Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, satellite, or cellular systems, which are becoming more common with the popularization of electric vehicles (EVs).

“This is not about trade or economic advantage,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told reporters. “This is a strictly national security action. We are focused on the national security threat, very real threat, that connected vehicles pose to our country and the American people.”

The ban originates from an investigation launched by President Joe Biden in March into Chinese vehicle software and related cybersecurity risks.

China & EU agree to settle differences over EV import tariffs 

The ban would effectively prohibit the import of any Chinese vehicles into the U.S., though there aren’t very many on the market being imported from the country today. In particular, connected vehicles pose a larger threat because of their susceptibility to interference from foreign entities—along with being closely tied to critical U.S. infrastructure systems.

“Cars today have cameras, microphones, GPS tracking and other technologies connected to the Internet,” Raimondo adds. “It doesn’t take much imagination to understand how a foreign adversary with access to this information could pose a serious risk to both our national security and the privacy of U.S. citizens.”

Initial talks of a ban on Chinese vehicle software were reported last month, with sources saying that the U.S. was specifically focused on self-driving software.

While the vast majority of the rules proposed are regarding software, the ban also includes some hardware stipulations, along with rules around charging stations, power generation, and energy storage systems. The proposal recommends a software ban go into effect for vehicles with a 2027 model year, while the hardware ban would go into effect on vehicles with a 2030 model year.

Chinese officials claim its products don’t pose any national security threats, but rather, they argue that the move is simply to stifle competition.

The news also comes as the U.S., Canada, and the European Union (EU) have launched high import tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) and components to bolster domestic supply chains and prevent the import of super-affordable China-built products. Canada has also been mulling over similar legislation over the past couple of months.

Last month, the U.S. delayed plans to launch 100-percent tariffs on Chinese EVs, though the company has since moved forward with these plans.

Dept. of Energy takes $3b step to combat Chinese EV batteries in U.S.

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

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U.S. may ban Chinese software in self-driving, connected vehicles https://www.teslarati.com/us-ban-chinese-self-driving-vehicles/ https://www.teslarati.com/us-ban-chinese-self-driving-vehicles/#respond Tue, 06 Aug 2024 17:54:03 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=270791 The U.S. may place a ban on Chinese software in self-driving and connected vehicles, with the Biden administration expected to propose such rules in the coming weeks. According to a report from Reuters citing sources briefed on the matter, the U.S. Commerce Department is looking to propose banning Chinese software in autonomous and connected vehicles […]

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The U.S. may place a ban on Chinese software in self-driving and connected vehicles, with the Biden administration expected to propose such rules in the coming weeks.

According to a report from Reuters citing sources briefed on the matter, the U.S. Commerce Department is looking to propose banning Chinese software in autonomous and connected vehicles this month. The rule would ban any Chinese software in U.S. vehicles with Level 3 or higher autonomous capabilities, effectively banning self-driving tests for companies from China.

Level 3 autonomous driving would allow drivers to take their focus off the road and even perform other activities unless otherwise prompted to take over driving by the vehicle. The sources also say the rule would require automakers and suppliers to confirm to regulators that their connected vehicle and Level 3 software platforms weren’t developed in a “foreign entity of concern,” such as China.

On Sunday, a spokesperson from the Commerce Department said the agency was “concerned about the national security risks associated with connected technologies in connected vehicles.”

Chinese self-driving developer reportedly files for IPO in the US

The rule is expected to come from the department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, and the department says that the requirement “will focus on specific systems of concern within the vehicle,” adding that “industry will also have a chance to review that proposed rule and submit comments.”

The Commerce Department initially said last month that it was considering imposing certain limits on some Chinese software, as well as those from other countries considered adversaries.

“Only division of labor and cooperation can bring mutual benefits, and only fair competition can bring technological progress,” said a spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in Washington D.C. in response to the expected proposal “China urges the U.S. to earnestly abide by market principles and international trade rules, and create a level playing field for companies from all countries. China will firmly defend its lawful rights and interests.”

Last Wednesday, the White House and State Department held a meeting with officials from around the world to “jointly address the national security risks associated with connected vehicles,” according to the department. The meeting also included details about the administration’s plans to propose the rule.

The conference included officials from the U.S., Canada, Australia, the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Spain, India, South Korea, and Japan, who “exchanged views on the data and cybersecurity risks associated with connected vehicles and certain components.”

The topic of national security risks surrounding connected vehicles has been around for quite some time, with a group of legislators last November bringing forward concerns that Chinese companies could collect and misuse sensitive data in autonomous vehicle tests.

“The national security risks are quite significant,” said Gina Raimondo, Commerce Secretary, in a statement in May. “We decided to take action because this is really serious stuff.”

The news comes after the U.S. increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) in May, in order to stave off cheap competitors to U.S.-built products. The EU lodged also launched tariffs on Chinese EVs last month, and Canada is considering similar legislation.

It also comes as multiple companies have gained approval to test autonomous driving tech in China, including domestic makers Nio, BYD, Changan Auto, GAC, SAIC, BAIC BluePark, China FAW Group, SAIC Hongyan, and Yutong Bus. Over the weekend, Mercedes-Benz became the first foreign company to gain approval for Level 4 autonomous driving tests in China, and Tesla is expected to gain full approval for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised later this year.

Tesla China to test 10 FSD vehicles ahead of expected public rollout: report

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U.S. public charging sites to outnumber gas stations by 2032: Bloomberg https://www.teslarati.com/us-public-charging-outnumber-gas-stations/ https://www.teslarati.com/us-public-charging-outnumber-gas-stations/#respond Sun, 21 Jul 2024 23:42:06 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=269468 U.S. public charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) may outnumber gas stations within the next eight years, according to a recent analysis from one publication. With fast-charging deployment continuing to accelerate this year, a Bloomberg Green analysis of U.S. Department of Energy data suggests that the number of public EV charging stations could outnumber gas […]

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U.S. public charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) may outnumber gas stations within the next eight years, according to a recent analysis from one publication.

With fast-charging deployment continuing to accelerate this year, a Bloomberg Green analysis of U.S. Department of Energy data suggests that the number of public EV charging stations could outnumber gas stations in about eight years, if their rollout continues at its current pace. BloombergNEF data places North American operator spending on charging infrastructure around $6.1 billion collectively this year—or almost twice that of 2023.

Recently, the U.S. has also deployed 704 new, public fast-charging stations, boosting sites by about 9 percent in just three months. In total, there are roughly 9,000 public fast-charging stations in the U.S., according to the data.

Credit: Bloomberg

Credit: Bloomberg

“We’re seeing demand for fast charging skyrocket,” notes Sara Rafalson, EVgo Executive VP. “We’re continuing to build bigger and bigger stations because we need to keep up with that demand.”

Gas station operators are some of the many businesses actually seeking to install public EV charging, with Shell launching 30 new charging stations in Q2, along with Enel, Pilot, and Flying J, which debuted 11, 8, and 7 new charging sites, respectively.

“We’re getting past a turning point where fueling stations and convenience stores are really seeing the value proposition,” said Sam Houston, the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Senior Vehicles Analyst. “It’s a very welcome turn from how they were behaving in the regulatory space even as recently as a couple years ago.”

RELATED:

EV charging infrastructure strength in each U.S. state analyzed in new study

At the time of writing, Tesla alone has around 2,319 individual Supercharger stalls in the U.S., according to the tracker Supercharge.Info. The Supercharger network has been leading the deployment of fast-charging hardware in the U.S., as detailed in recent data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

While the charging stations aren’t currently “open to the public,” with only Ford and Rivian’s EVs currently having access to them, Tesla is gradually opening the network to other brands and is expected to make them open to all who have signed onto the North American Charging Standard (NACS).

Another recent analysis from Bloomberg suggested that the recent U.S. sales slowdown of EVs may have been overstated, and may not last very long. In recent weeks, a study from Recurrent Auto suggested that the U.S. could still be on pace to reach an EV adoption rate of 50 percent by 2030, despite the recent reports.

California reaches EV charging infrastructure milestone

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President Joe Biden withdraws from the 2024 U.S. election https://www.teslarati.com/president-joe-biden-withdraws-2024-us-election/ https://www.teslarati.com/president-joe-biden-withdraws-2024-us-election/#respond Sun, 21 Jul 2024 20:02:29 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=269459 Incumbent President Joe Biden has officially withdrawn from the 2024 U.S. election, amidst expectations that another term from former president Donald Trump could drastically affect the landscape of federal electric vehicle (EV) programs. President Biden announced the news in a letter shared on Sunday, in which he announced an endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris […]

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Incumbent President Joe Biden has officially withdrawn from the 2024 U.S. election, amidst expectations that another term from former president Donald Trump could drastically affect the landscape of federal electric vehicle (EV) programs.

President Biden announced the news in a letter shared on Sunday, in which he announced an endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris after months of criticism of his age and mental acuity. The announcement also follows Elon Musk’s official endorsement for former President Trump last weekend, and after Trump recently selected Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate.

It’s not yet clear whether Harris will become the Democratic nominee for the 2024 election, though Biden’s endorsement will likely hold some weight in the party’s decision. This endorsement also comes as Republicans aim to do away with some of Biden’s aggressive EV adoption measures, including the Biden target of making 50 percent of vehicle sales fully electric by 2030, and the $7,500 EV subsidy.

In recent weeks, Trump has said that he would end the mandate on his first day back in office, eliciting widespread discussion about subsidies, government, EV adoption, and more. Vance also proposed an anti-EV bill last year seeking to replace the subsidy with one of the same amount for gas vehicles.

Despite his past statements about EVs, Vance recently praised Musk for building Tesla, saying that he was similar to an “older generation of American entrepreneur.”

“Elon is actually a great example of an American entrepreneur,” Vance said during an interview last week. “He’s built a company, but also a company that’s employed a lot of good American workers. If you think about it, Elon Musk is, in some ways, a throwback to an older generation of American entrepreneur. He builds real things. He builds cars. He builds rockets. And that’s the kind of economy that President Trump wants to create.”

Musk recently denied reports that he was paying $45 million per month to a political action committee (PAC) supporting Trump, though he did follow up to say that he had created his own PAC to support candidates with a focus on merit-based, personal-freedom-focused policy, adding that the funding is currently far below that amount.

“That is false,” wrote Musk on X. “I have not pledged anything to anyone! I did create a PAC that is focused on supporting candidates who favor a meritocracy and personal freedom, but funding to date has been far below that level.”

President Joe Biden comes after Elon Musk following Trump endorsement

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