Environmental Organizations Want Ford To Ditch Lobby Group

Ford has made it quite clear in recent years that it’s dedicated to slashing emissions and becoming more environmentally friendly in every aspect of its operations, but over the past few months, a slower than expected ramp up in demand for EVs has prompted it to dial back its investments into electrification somewhat. Problem is, while Ford has largely backed most legislation aimed at reducing emissions and speeding up EV adoption, the lobby group Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI) – which it belongs to – has not. In fact, AAI has recently opposed both toughened fuel economy standards and regulations related to reducing emissions. Now, an environmental group called the Sierra Club is calling on Ford and other automakers to end their association with AAI as a result.

“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.”

Along with Sierra Club, a number of other organizations signed the letter, including the Center for Biological Diversity, Coltura, Ekō, Electric Vehicle Association, GreenLatinos, Interfaith Power & Light, League of Conservation Voters, Public Citizen and The Sunrise Project. As the letter points out, the EPA’s proposed multi-pollutant light duty vehicle (LDV) rule falls in line with Ford’s desire to achieve a 40-50 percent EV sales mix by 2030, and yet, the AAI opposes these new regulations altogether.

“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.

We’ll have more on the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and all Ford-backed lobby groups soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for non-stop Ford news coverage.