Electric cars not selling as EPA rules loom

Jan 29 - Lima News (OH)

Despite car companies' efforts to jazz them up and draw the public's attention, electric cars just aren't selling.

They're not living up to expectations, said Bernard Swiecki , with the Center for Automotive Research , during a call with the Lima Auto Task Force on Tuesday. "Sales fell last year."

Swiecki was presenting a look back at automotive sales for 2014 and a forecast for the next few years. CAR data shows that from January to November 2014 , electrified cars accounted for "only" 3.5 percent of the U.S. market share for light vehicle sales.

"Electrified" encompasses all types of electric cars, Swiecki explained.

"Consumers really aren't jumping on them," he said, instead, they're buying sport utility vehicles.

Though gas prices are the lowest they've been since 2009, Swiecki said that "now folks do have money, they're voting with their wallet and the vehicles they're choosing are larger and less fuel efficient."

This could mean trouble for car companies, as the Environmental Protection Agency is pushing car companies to lower emissions with regulations that will go into effect in 2017.

Making automotives up to EPA regulations is something that for many auto companies means large investments for research, development and to outfit their assembly plants with the proper equipment.

Many companies are pulling out all the stops as they work to meet the looming guidelines, which will limit emissions to one gram per mile of greenhouse gasses.

There are two responses that automotive companies tend to have right now to the upcoming midterm review of regulations, said Dave Andrea , senior vice president with the Original Equipment Suppliers Association , during the call.

One group wants the review to end quickly and be over so they know the technological roadmap ahead, he said, the other, is hoping the review will be delayed so they can see what the next presidential cycle may bring.

"I think the truth will be somewhere in between there," Andrea said.

Lima Mayor David Berger said the data on low electric vehicle sales raise question marks.

"People don't know what direction it will take," he said. "I think there are concerns in some people's minds."

Reach Danae King at 567-242-0511 or on Twitter @DanaeKing.

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