TAKE ACTION: DEMAND THAT AUTOMAKERS DEVELOP MORE ELECTRIC MODELS
Automakers hold the keys to phasing out gasoline cars and accelerating to electric vehicles. Coming out with our favorite makes and models in electric, emissions-free versions will go far to save drivers money and address the economic, health and climate problems caused by internal combustion engines.
And it will put money back in our pockets. Costs to operate electric vehicles are already cheaper than for gas cars, due to lower fuel and maintenance costs. Improving batteries making electric cars last for 400,000 miles and more. And in certain segments, average sticker prices for electric vehicles are already less than equivalent gasoline vehicles, and continuing to get cheaper.
Growing demand for clean vehicles will prompt investment in battery technology and enable economies of scale, which will make sticker prices cheaper as well. Large-scale adoption of electric vehicles will result in lower electricity rates for everyone. Check out all the benefits of moving to electric vehicles here.
Large auto companies are now faced with important choices regarding the future of gas-burning cars: Some auto executives see the transition away from gasoline cars and trucks as inevitable, and want to get ahead of the curve to preserve their market share as consumers switch to clean electric vehicles. Others want to delay the transition away from gasoline cars as long as possible, to profit from the investments they’ve made in internal combustion engine technology, manufacturing, engine factories and marketing.
Pressure from customers and shareholders could help the automakers do the right thing. Let auto executives hear from you. Imagine your letter framed on the boardroom wall, having made the critical difference in changing hearts and minds.
WHAT TO DO:
- Visit your automakers’ social media pages. Ask when they will be coming out with electric versions of their various models, and encourage them to do so ASAP. When they post about bringing a new electric car to market, congratulate and thank them.
- Contact your automakers by email or letter. Copy your local dealer, too.
Sample Message:
Dear [automaker],
[Explain your connection to the automaker –own/lease, shareholder. E.g, “My first car was a Honda.” Or “I have owned Fords for the last 25 years.”]
This is to urge you to produce more all-electric versions of all your models as soon as possible, with long range and fast charging capacity, at similar prices to fossil-fuel powered models.
I am concerned about the costs and impacts of gasoline vehicles. I want to save money on fuel and maintenance by driving electric. I want to keep dollars and jobs local with local electricity, and not invest in out of state oil. I want US automakers to stay competitive with foreign automakers that are already embracing an electric future. I want to drive a [make and model] without the air pollution from internal combustion that’s toxic to me, my family, neighbors, community, and others in traffic around me. I also want to do my part to address the climate crisis by reducing the single biggest source of carbon emissions: gasoline-powered light-duty vehicles.
Please let me know what you are doing to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. I hope we can travel into the future together.
Sincerely,
[Name, address, phone]