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Your weekly intelligence on EVs and Transportation Decarbonization
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Rapidly changing federal policy continues to dominate the transportation decarbonization news. Industry experts expect import tariffs to hurt electric vehicles more than internal combustion vehicles due to reliance on foreign manufacturers for EV batteries and other parts. Cost increases caused by the tariffs could jeopardize state climate and EV deployment goals.


Tesla, which uses a higher percentage of US-made parts compared to its competitors, likely will be less affected. However, the company continues to struggle with declining sales and public perception. 


A new report by BloombergNEF estimated that the tariffs will push the cost of the cheapest available EVs from about $32,000 to $40,000, potentially reducing the market by 58%. Imported EVs, which accounted for over a third of all EVs bought in the US in 2024, will be particularly affected.  


Aspects of the tariffs have received some support from labor groups. In a recent address, United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain said the union does not support “reckless, random tariffs,” but stressed that free trade “has been a disaster for the working class,” allowing companies to offshore jobs to avoid labor and environmental standards. 


He said strategic tariffs on auto manufacturing are a good first step to help reshore jobs and revive the domestic industry, and argued that the companies can afford to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. without dramatic increases to vehicle costs. 


However, Trump administration policies targeting Biden-era climate and EV programs appear to be undercutting efforts to boost American manufacturing. One public policy research group estimated that more manufacturing projects were canceled in the first quarter of 2025 than the prior two years combined, including a pair of billion-dollar battery manufacturing facilities.  


Although incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act have yet to be eliminated, the uncertainty and potential repeal of these policies has sent major waves across the clean energy industry. Along with project cancellations, proposals for new clean manufacturing projects have cratered.  


In state news, Massachusetts received clarification that it can spend $50 million in previously allocated National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funds for public fast charging stations. An additional $14 million which the state had expected to receive remains up in the air. 


For maritime news, the Trump administration is working to scuttle talks to put a price on carbon for international shipping. As international delegates met in London to discuss shipping decarbonization, the Trump administration wrote in a diplomatic note that it “rejects any and all efforts to impose economic measures against its ships based on GHG emissions or fuel choice.” 


The administration withdrew the U.S. from the negotiations and said it will consider “reciprocal measures” to offset any carbon tax imposed on American ships.  


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Electric Vehicles

California

Republican Plan to Kill California's EV Policies Stopped in Senate

The Trump administration asked Republicans in Congress to stop California's ban on new gas-powered cars. The Senate parliamentarian said it wasn't allowed. The New York Times


International

Foxconn eyes Japan for electric vehicle growth, seeks partnerships

Taiwan's Foxconn sees Japan as a big opportunity for growing its electric vehicle business and hopes to agree on partnerships with Japanese companies as soon as possible, an executive in charge of the business said. Reuters


International

How Nissan Hopes to Navigate Trump's Tariffs and Make Its EVs Great Again

After years of managerial turmoil and a failed merger with Honda, Nissan is attempting to right the ship. President Donald Trump's tariffs couldn't have come at a worse time. WIRED


International

Price hikes, idled factories, layoffs: how car companies are responding to Trump's tariffs

Car companies are in panic mode as they scramble to respond to President Donald Trump's 25% auto tariffs. The Verge


International

Stellantis Suddenly Kills Leapmotor EV Production In Poland Amid Tariff Tensions

Stellantis owns 51% of its joint venture with Leapmotor, but China has told automakers to halt investments in EU countries backing the tariffs. Carscoops


International

Tariff terror comes for EVs

President Donald Trump's trade war is upending all aspects of the world economy, but the auto industry is particularly feeling the pain. Politico


International

Tariffs will make imported EVs unaffordable -- study

President Donald Trump's new tariffs are likely to make imported electric vehicles unaffordable for most Americans and will raise prices for many others that are assembled here, according to a new study. E&E News


International

Toyota to boost EV models to 15, targets producing 1 million by 2027, Nikkei says

Toyota aims to have about 15 electric vehicle models developed on its own by 2027 and is targeting production of about 1 million cars a year by then, the Nikkei reported. Reuters


International

UK Eases Rules on EVs as Trump's Auto Tariffs Hit

The British government eased rules on carmakers requiring them to shift toward selling electric vehicles, as officials sought to blunt some of the pain caused by new auto tariffs on foreign cars sold in the United States. The New York Times


International

Volkswagen Capitalizes on Tesla Weakness With EV Sales Jump

Volkswagen's global deliveries rose in the first quarter, lifted by a surge in demand for its electric vehicles as customers turned away from Elon Musk's Tesla. Bloomberg


Maryland

Maryland delays penalties for noncompliance with clean car rules

The decision comes after auto dealers raised concerns with the regulations' ambitious timeline. Climatewire


Massachusetts

Massachusetts will get some federal money for EV chargers after all

Massachusetts is getting close to building its first electric vehicle rapid charging stations backed by federal money. The first five station locations have been approved along interstates 195 and 495 and Route 2, state officials said. Construction is expected to start soon and some could be open for charging before the end of the year. Boston Globe


U.S.

A stunning number of electric vehicle, battery factories are being canceled

Billions of dollars in clean energy projects have been canceled since Donald Trump took office again. The Washington Post


U.S.

Americans are losing interest in EVs. And it's not just about Elon Musk.

Americans are less interested in buying and owning electric vehicles than they were two years ago, according to recent Gallup polling. The Washington Post


U.S.

An EV startup hiding in plain sight in Detroit

A secretive EV startup backed by Amazon's Jeff Bezos and others plans to produce an affordable, low-cost electric pickup as soon as next year in Indiana. Axios


U.S.

Cadillac shuffles SUV production to favor smaller model; adds new EV at Tennessee plant

Cadillac is ending production of the gas-powered, three-row SUV XT6 sooner than planned and will extend production of its smaller XT5 model through 2026 due to strong customer demand, according to an internal memo sent to employees of General Motors' Spring Hill Assembly plant in Tennessee. Detroit Free Press


U.S.

Elon Musk's Tesla Sales Troubles Are Only Getting Started

President Trump turned the government into a showroom. Americans aren't buying it. Slate


U.S.

EnergyHub partners with GM to use EVs as grid resources

General Motors' sales of electric vehicles jumped 94% in the first quarter. EnergyHub said its managed EV charging programs can help utilities maintain grid stability as EV demand rises. Utility Dive


U.S.

Exclusive: Inside the EV startup secretly backed by Jeff Bezos

Jeff Bezos is funding a secretive EV startup based in Michigan called Slate Auto that could start production as soon as next year, according to multiple sources and documents that link the billionaire's family office to the startup. TechCrunch


U.S.

How the Musk-Tesla backlash is opening doors for EV startups like Rivian

Former Tesla owners are on the hunt for their next EV, creating an opportunity for legacy automakers and EV startups to gain ground. The Orange County Register


U.S.

Interest in Electric Vehicles Is Leveling Off in America. Here's Why.

It's clear that hybrid vehicles garner a much stronger level of interest than purely electric ones in the America of 2025. Road & Track


U.S.

US electric vehicle industry is collateral damage in Trump's escalating trade war

Automakers were already pulling back on ambitious electrification plans amid shrinking federal support and are strapped for cash on what is the less lucrative side of their businesses. The Associated Press


U.S.

US tariffs expected to pinch EV market

US tariffs are expected to put foreign EV manufacturers in a pinch, as more than a third of battery powered automobiles are imported from outside the country, according to a report. Carbon Pulse


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Shipping

International

Burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers found to be the best available option for bulk maritime shipping

Through a novel lifecycle assessment, researchers from MIT, Georgia Tech, and elsewhere have now found that burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers in the open ocean can match or surpass using low-sulfur fuels, when a wide variety of environmental factors is considered. TechXplore


International

Shipping is terrible for the environment -- but it could be headed for a reckoning

The measures are more than climate aspirations - they will become mandatory for ships operating globally, said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez. Fast Company


International

Trump tells countries to scrap maritime decarbonization talks, or else

The attack on the shipping deal is part of a wider U.S. rejection of policies to fight climate change. Climatewire


International

Viking claims hydrogen-powered cruise ship world first for Viking Libra

Viking Libra will feature a hybrid propulsion system based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells. This hybrid propulsion system will make the ship capable of navigating and operating with zero emissions, which would allow it to access even the most environmentally sensitive areas. Marine Log


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