Environmental Organizations Call on General Motors and Ford to Distance Themselves from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation

The letter states that as long as GM and Ford stand behind the AAI, both companies are complicit in blocking progress on EVs

DETROIT, MI –  Today, the Sierra Club delivered a letter to the CEOs of General Motors (GM) and Ford, calling on the two companies to stop hiding behind the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI), the auto industry trade association, which is lobbying against U.S. regulations that would further speed up the electric vehicle (EV) transition to reduce harmful emissions and protect the health of our communities. 

The proposed multi-pollutant light duty vehicle (LDV) rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would establish greenhouse gas and air pollution standards that the EPA projects will result in 67% of cars sold in the U.S. being all-electric by 2032. As stated in the letter, this figure is far less ambitious than GM’s own pledge to exclusively offer electric vehicles by 2035 and seemingly on track with Ford's public goal for 40%-50% of its global vehicle volume to be fully electric by 2030, yet the AAI outright opposes the new regulations.

"Our message is clear: The AAI must stop obstructing essential standards that will drive electric vehicle adoption. If GM and Ford want to be the leaders in the EV transition that they claim to be, then they need to distance themselves from the AAI and their lobbyists," said Katherine García, Director of the Sierra Club's Clean Transportation for All Campaign. "Climate change is already happening at a faster rate than was predicted, and the transportation sector is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. It is past time for GM and Ford to go all-in on supporting the transition to electric vehicles, as they’ve committed to in their own pledges, and they cannot do that while standing behind the AAI."

Organizations that signed onto the letter along with the Sierra Club include: Center for Biological Diversity, Coltura, Ekō, Electric Vehicle Association, GreenLatinos, Interfaith Power & Light, League of Conservation Voters, Public Citizen and The Sunrise Project.

“For too long, Ford and General Motors have let the Alliance for Automotive Innovation do their dirty lobbying work. People of faith and conscience across the U.S. are looking for these corporations to stand behind their commitments to electric vehicles, which we know are critical in our transition to clean, zero-emission transportation systems. Now is the time for Ford and GM to commit to putting their collective weight behind the clean car standards that save countless lives and protect our Sacred Earth,” said Reverend Susan Hendershot, President of Interfaith Power & Light.

“Our message is unequivocal: If these automakers genuinely aim to be leaders in the electric vehicle transition, they must distance themselves from the AAI and cease obstructing regulations essential for driving EV adoption. Climate change is a pressing issue, and the transportation sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. It is time for GM and Ford to honor their commitments, as stated in their pledges, and actively support the transition to electric vehicles by disassociating from the AAI and its lobbyists,” said Elaine Borseth, President of the Electric Vehicle Association.

The full letter can be found here.