US car dealers urge Biden to reconsider EV mandates due to poor sales and consumer concerns.
Car dealerships nationwide are cautioning President Joe Biden against his ambitious green energy initiatives due to sluggish Electric Vehicle (EV) sales. Dealers from various states penned a letter to Biden, urging the administration to reconsider EV mandates, highlighting the unsold inventory despite price reductions and incentives.
Expressing concern over the stagnation of consumer interest, dealers emphasized the mounting stock of unsold EVs as a clear signal of insufficient demand. They underscored the primary concerns of Americans: EV cost, inadequate charging infrastructure, extended charging durations, and reduced range in adverse weather conditions or when towing.
Industry experts revealed their challenges in selling EVs, citing examples such as Ford’s F-150 Lightning pickup truck, which faced resistance in the market. Focusing primarily on affluent Tesla buyers neglected a significant consumer segment where a car is a necessity, not a luxury.
Instances from dealerships across states like North Carolina and Colorado echoed similar narratives of EVs languishing on lots, unappealing to customers. The data nationwide indicates a sharp contrast in EV sales, with vehicles now spending a notably extended period—65 days—on dealership lots compared to just 21 days in September 2022, painting a grim picture of the current market trend.
