As global warming becomes a pressing challenge, the US is adjusting strategies to protect Detroit’s products. A few years ago, Beijing was engulfed in carbon emissions, making breathing difficult due to smog and severely reduced visibility. While many in the West doubted China’s long-term plans, since 2023, the country has made significant progress, cutting pollution by 60% and improving air quality, attracting global researchers’ attention.
By Dumi Xaba
While the entire world grapples with the consequences of global warming, the United States is reversing its policies to protect products from Detroit City.
A few years ago, China faced severe issues due to carbon emissions, making it nearly impossible to walk in Beijing without choking on smog. The visibility was significantly impaired because of the pollution from coal-fired power plants. In response, China developed a long-term plan that faced criticism from many Western governments for being unclear and ineffective.
However, as of 2023, China has made substantial progress in reducing particulate pollution, achieving a 60% improvement in air quality. This transformation has attracted the attention of scientists worldwide, who are now studying their methods.
The underlying strategy has always revolved around leveraging naturally available energy to replace coal plants and including nuclear power in the energy portfolio. However, the issue of carbon emissions from the automotive industry has been a persistent challenge. A short-term response involved the introduction of government-sponsored bicycles at train stations. The long-term strategy has consistently aimed at reducing carbon emissions from the automotive sector by promoting battery-powered vehicles.
While the original intent was to enhance air quality in China, this initiative has also aligned well with the aspirations of various European nations. Uber, recognised as the largest e-hailing company in the world, observed the successes of China’s automotive environmental initiatives and subsequently devised their plan to lessen their carbon footprint by advocating for the use of battery-powered vehicles among e-hailing operators.
While South Africa faces steep electricity prices, other nations enjoy more affordable electricity tariffs. Commuting with an electric vehicle (EV) proves to be much cheaper than using petrol-powered cars. Several modern cities are establishing off-grid complexes, commonly known as green complexes, where residents do not pay for electricity. Charging at these locations means commuting costs are limited to tyre and brake pad maintenance.
Furthermore, EVs have fewer moving parts than their combustion engine counterparts, leading to less frequent mechanical repairs. Uber has analysed these trends and has introduced a $250 incentive for every 200 miles driven in an EV instead of a combustion vehicle, potentially increasing profits for e-hailing drivers.
The trend in developed nations shows a decrease in people using personal vehicles for commuting. Instead, many are turning to buses and trains to help lower carbon emissions, especially as cities have raised vehicle licensing fees to discourage car ownership.
In Tokyo, for example, the high costs associated with owning a carport or garage act as a deterrent, promoting the use of public transport among residents.
Cleaner cities lead to better health and increased life expectancy, as demonstrated by the Japanese population, where many continue to work into their 80s and often live well past 90.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi acknowledged this shift and has incorporated plans into Uber’s future operations that provide financial incentives for drivers to invest in electric vehicles rather than traditional combustion engines.
For a long time, Detroit has only paid lip service to its carbon emission reduction objectives. Prominent manufacturers such as Ford, Jeep, and General Motors have not engaged in meaningful discussions to decrease carbon emissions, despite cities like Los Angeles being significantly over the pollution limits.
The entire globe, including the United States, has been affected by changing weather patterns, with the current influence of both La Niña and El Niño leading to extreme conditions. Some areas are parched while others face constant flooding, all exacerbated by global warming. In light of this, responsible citizens have chosen electric vehicles to do their part in reducing carbon emissions.
Furthermore, companies from China, like GWM, have aided several American municipalities by providing electric buses to help lower emissions.
Detroit assessed the situation and concluded that, as some analysts, including my editor, had forecasted, they would be out of business within two years. Consequently, they sent an urgent plea to the White House. The response was surprisingly unexpected. Despite the American government’s commitment to addressing global warming, they were ready to impose a 100% tax on Chinese electric vehicles to enable Western manufacturers to compete with their Chinese counterparts.
The initial rationale was based on security concerns regarding EV technology being relayed back to China. However, when China agreed to remove the communication feature, the US raised the tax on Chinese EVs from 40% to 100%. This move clearly indicated that the motivation was not about telecommunications but rather about protecting Detroit, which had nearly succumbed to market pressures when brands like Mazda, Toyota, and Isuzu gained favour with American consumers.
Even though several Chinese companies were already delivering solutions to the American government, they received orders to complete their final transactions and shut down operations as Detroit-based companies expressed dissatisfaction with their effective solutions for road emissions. As a result, Dara Khosrowshani’s plans for achieving zero emissions will have to be put on hold.
Democracy is meant to give people the freedom to choose how to spend their money, as long as their actions are legal. Unfortunately, this does not seem to apply in the United States.
As we watch the situation unfold, the impact of Detroit’s automotive protectionism will be felt globally, contributing to ongoing challenges such as flooding, severe weather, and the melting of polar ice. I hope that, ultimately, this will be justified.