InfluenceMap: Lobbying for internal combustion vehicles endangers climate goals - only three manufacturers on course

A new analysis by the London-based data think tank InfluenceMap has shown that negative lobbying by the world's largest automakers is jeopardizing global climate goals and threatening the transition to electric vehicles. The latest report analyzes the climate policy engagement strategies of fifteen of the largest global automakers in seven key regions (Australia, EU, Japan, India, South Korea, UK, USA). It reveals that even in countries where important climate legislation has recently been passed, such as the USA and Australia, the ambition of these policies has been weakened due to industry pressure. All fifteen automakers, except Tesla, have actively opposed at least one policy to promote electric vehicles. Ten of the fifteen exhibited particularly strong negative engagement and received a final grade of D or D+ according to InfluenceMap's methodology.

“The inadequate plans of automakers for electric vehicles and their negative lobbying strategies are driving the climate crisis forward. If they and their industry associations do not immediately shift gears to reform their climate policy engagement, they will continue to weaken and delay global climate regulations, pushing the world to the brink. While global sales of electric vehicles continue to rise, the negative lobbying of lagging automakers, particularly in Japan, to protect their investments in environmentally harmful combustion engine technologies remains one of the biggest obstacles to science-based climate policy," criticizes Ben Youriev, Director at InfluenceMap.

Toyota is the worst-rated company in this analysis, as it spearheaded resistance to climate regulations promoting battery-powered electric vehicles in several regions, including the USA, Australia, and the UK. Of all the automakers surveyed, only Tesla (rated B) has a positive climate endorsement that aligns with scientifically-based policy. The study highlights how automakers have used their industry associations to globally oppose ambitious climate regulations. For example, the Australian New Vehicle Efficiency Standards announced in March 2024 were weakened after intensive lobbying by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).
 

Only three companies are on track for 1.5 degrees by 2030

Only three out of fifteen companies - Tesla, Mercedes Benz, and BMW - are expected to produce enough electric vehicles by 2030 to meet the updated 1.5°C pathway outlined by the International Energy Agency, which envisions a 66% share of electric vehicles (battery electric vehicles (BEV), fuel cell vehicles (FCEV), and plug-in hybrids (PHEV)). This is according to an independent analysis of industry-standard data by InfluenceMap from February 2024. Current industry forecasts analyzed for this report indicate that automakers will produce only 53% electric vehicles by 2030.

Transport is the third-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) worldwide, and the decarbonization of road transport is not progressing nearly as swiftly as in many other sectors. The InfluenceMap report also shows that Japanese automakers are the least prepared for the transition to electric vehicles and are the most resistant to it.