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Giant automakers which develop electric cars display their innovations during the Detroit Auto Show. In 2017, autonomous cars will indeed reach a critical point, but this will not affect North America. Due to strict gas emissions regulations in Europe and China, automakers have no other choice than developing electric cars.
Industry executives in Detroit argued that in this way, car makers will boost the investment upswing. Jacques Aschenbroich, the chief executives of auto supplier Valeo, managed to increase its sales by 50% during the last five years by only focusing on connected, hybrid, electric and self-driving vehicles. He stated that autonomous vehicles became an irrevocable trend.
In Europe, officials implemented a lot of benefits for electric car owners, facilitating tax breaks and subsidies. In the meantime, combustion engines met a lot of penalties, also involving parking and driving restrictions. China is currently facing excessive levels of pollution in the major cities. They hope for the implementation of plug-in cars.
Its new approach meant billions of dollars of research funding and investments with subsidies. They have also worked on rules to preclude the use of fossil-fueled vehicles in the major cities. Nevertheless, the United States appear to go on a way paved with obstacles when it comes to self-driving cars. Regulators in California together with a group of US states are currently promoting the use of electric vehicles, trying to persuade authorities to allow the use of zero-emission cars.
Unfortunately, back in 2015, the registrations for autonomous vehicles have dropped in the United States. Thus, the market share of electric vehicles experienced an outrageous decrease to about 0,37% in 2016. This is due to the fact that cheap fuel ruled the request for gas-guzzling pickup trucks and vehicles.
Donald Trump, the President-elect, decided to reverse climate and environmental regulations. Representatives for several well-known automakers had asked Trump to reexamine Obama administration meant to boost economy targets until 2025 before the new administration signed them back on January 13.
What is more, automakers have also requested that Trump should work to establish a unique, national set of regulations meant to control automotive greenhouse gas emissions. This idea could trigger legal challenges to autonomous vehicle quotas in many American states and California claiming that they represent an individual standard.
Image source: flickr
