Opinion: Honda exec: Democrats play favorites with their new EV proposal

Of course, some initiatives will be more successful than others in reducing carbon emissions. At Honda, we were delighted to see the Biden administration’s recent proposals for new federal vehicle emissions standards and more electric vehicles (EVs), which he called for in a recently issued executive order. But now Congress is also considering a proposal that will hamper climate progress.

Currently, consumers can receive up to $ 7,500 in federal tax credit for the purchase of an electric vehicle. As part of the Build Back Better plan, Democrats in Congress want to offer an additional $ 4,500 bonus on top of the $ 7,500, but that would only go to consumers buying electric vehicles made by workers who are part of it. of a union. If this becomes law, only electric vehicles manufactured by General Motors, Ford and Chrysler would be eligible for the bonus credit.

In fact, in today’s auto industry, a variety of auto manufacturers, international and domestic, manufacture vehicles in the United States without union work. Additionally, international automakers make almost as many cars here in the United States as do American automakers. Honda has been building cars in America for almost 40 years, and more than two-thirds of Hondas sold in the United States are made in the United States by more than 20,000 American associates. Our American history shows that an American-made car does not have to be made by an automaker from Detroit. The same can and will continue to be said about electric vehicles made in the United States.

This proposal is bad business for non-union automakers, their American workers, and for the customers who are needed to drive this transition to electrification. The measure would hamper sales of electric vehicles for non-union manufacturers, putting them at a competitive disadvantage. And that could mean lower production volume and fewer jobs for workers; while the higher cost to consumers of vehicles that do not qualify for the additional credit would actually defeat the mission of promoting sales of electric vehicles.

It would be a disastrous detour on our generational journey towards environmental sustainability. The climate crisis needs a holistic approach, not federal policies playing favorites among the many brands that will make electric vehicles in America to appease union interests. We need to stay focused on what unites us: the common goal of deploying zero-emission vehicles to achieve carbon neutrality.

I stand with our 20,000 Honda associates for their right to earn a living and to choose whether or not to join a union. I cannot remain silent as our government debates a plan that says the products they make do not deserve equal support for much needed climate progress.

History has shown that federal policies that pick winners and losers tend to be losers themselves. Especially when a big national goal is at stake, companies need a level playing field to innovate, produce, compete and collaborate without the federal government stimulating some players while blocking others. Promoting unionization is a different agenda from promoting electric vehicles, and climate champions on the Hill should reject tying the two as Congress continues to negotiate a reconciliation deal.

Washington policymakers should unite the efforts of all automakers to tackle the climate crisis.