GM Is Pushing Hard to Tank California's EV Mandate

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Climate Change, Fatalism, and Global EV Momentum

  • Some see climate catastrophe as effectively locked in and view legacy automakers’ resistance as expected but tragic.
  • Others counter with cautious optimism that large-scale EV and renewables adoption (especially driven by China) can still meaningfully reduce harm, even if not “solve” climate change.

China’s EV Dominance and Trade Barriers

  • Multiple comments argue Chinese EVs and batteries are already cheaper and better, and that blocking them mostly protects high US prices and incumbent behavior.
  • Others warn offshoring and reliance on China undermine US manufacturing capacity and national security; they see “cheap imports” as having devastated many US communities.
  • There is tension between wanting low-cost Chinese EVs and fearing strategic dependence on a geopolitical rival.

US Manufacturing, Labor, and Immigration

  • Debate over whether manufacturing jobs can or should “come back”:
    • One side: automation and worker preferences mean we should focus on living wages, unions, and universal benefits rather than nostalgic factory jobs.
    • Other side: dismissing manufacturing harms rural and non-metro areas, contributing to social crises (e.g., opioids).
  • Repeated point: many hard physical jobs (construction, agriculture, meat-packing) are filled by immigrants; Americans generally avoid them at current wages.

Consumer Preferences and Car Prices

  • Some say typical buyers want simple, affordable ICE vehicles (2010s-style sedans/SUVs) with familiar engines.
  • Others say mainstream buyers care more about comfort tech (CarPlay, heated seats, safety) than about engine type.
  • Wide frustration with rising new and used car prices; several people explicitly want cheap Chinese EVs to apply price pressure.

California’s Mandate, Federalism, and GM’s Position

  • GM’s push for a single national standard is seen by many as an attempt to override California’s stricter rules for corporate convenience.
  • Disagreement over whether state-by-state environmental regulation is “silly” in a single national market or a core feature of US federalism.
  • Some expect court and congressional efforts (backed by automakers and swing-state politics) to weaken or reverse California’s authority.

Mandates vs Taxes and Road Funding

  • Strong thread arguing mandates are clumsy; better tools would be:
    • Increasing fuel or carbon taxes (on fuel or ICE vehicles) to shift demand.
    • Designing excise/registration schemes that heavily penalize new ICE sales while avoiding retroactive punishment of existing owners.
  • Others note gas taxes finance roads; as EVs grow, both tax-based and mandate-based transitions must confront how to fund infrastructure.
  • Cap-and-trade and EV-specific fees are mentioned, but there’s no consensus on the “right” mechanism.

EV Infrastructure and Practical Barriers

  • Apartment dwellers and small-town residents are highlighted as edge cases: lack of home charging, limited building electrical capacity, and slow public charging make EV-only mandates feel premature.
  • Some argue 120V/Level 1 charging would cover most daily needs; others point out the cost and complexity of retrofitting older buildings and upgrading grid connections.

Unions, Jobs, and Political Constraints

  • EVs and PHEVs use fewer parts and more automation, threatening unionized assembly jobs.
  • Several commenters argue national politicians (both parties) will prioritize UAW/Teamsters and Midwestern jobs over aggressive EV policies, regardless of climate goals.
  • One commenter frames a stark tradeoff in the US context: if forced to choose, many will back unions and legacy jobs over rapid EV disruption.

Automaker Strategy and Historical Parallels

  • Multiple comments compare current US EV resistance to 1970s US automakers’ slow response to emissions and fuel-efficiency rules, which opened the door to Japanese competition.
  • China’s EV surge (and, in other markets, the rise of Chinese brands) is seen as a potential repeat: US firms lobbying instead of innovating may get “crushed” when protection weakens.
  • Some expect GM and peers to be bailed out again rather than allowed to fail, reinforcing their incentive to fight mandates instead of building compelling, affordable EVs.