The Expert Podcast

• California is looking to phase out the sale of gasoline-powered vehicles, requiring all new vehicles to be electric (EVs).
• Although this law is specific to California, it holds national significance as California represents 15-18% of the automobile market.
• Other states, such as Washington, are also planning to phase out gas-powered cars by 2030, with several more states expected to follow suit.
• As a result, around one-third of the U.S. population will live in states where gasoline vehicles will no longer be sold, and in some cases, even existing gas-powered cars may not be allowed to be registered.

• If these laws pass, it may become difficult to purchase or maintain gasoline-powered cars due to a lack of available parts and discontinued production.
• Manufacturers may stop producing parts for gas cars as the market shifts towards EVs, and maintaining older gas-powered cars could become challenging.

• Alongside these laws, EV prices are on the rise. For example, Ford has announced price increases of $6,000-$8,000 for certain EV models due to production cost hikes.

• What does it mean for consumers if electric vehicles become a requirement and gasoline vehicles are phased out?
• Are you ready for an all-electric future? Do you have the capability to charge an EV and the infrastructure to support long-distance driving?

• How prepared are automotive repair shops for the transition to EVs? Will traditional repair shops be able to handle the electronic-based repair needs of EVs, or will repairs become restricted to authorized dealers?
• Will third-party repair shops fade away as everything becomes more electronic?

• Collision repairs for EVs may be more complex, especially when it comes to damage to the battery and floor pan.
• What does the future hold for car dealerships and used car lots? Will used EVs still be practical to buy and sell, especially when the battery warranty expires?

• Share your feedback on the transition to electric vehicles and the new laws changing the automotive industry. What do you think about living with electric-only vehicles, and how do you see the repair and retail sectors evolving?