With New York’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) mandate requiring 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035, dealers across the state are sounding the alarm over what they call an “unreasonable” and “inorganic” transition. Andy Guelcher, President of Mohawk Chevrolet and Chairman of the Chevrolet National Dealer Council, joins us on today’s episode of Inside Automotive, to discuss the challenges facing dealers, the impact of government policies, and the broader implications for the automotive industry.
Guelcher emphasized that while dealers support the goal of reducing emissions, the aggressive timeline set by ACCII is “setting us up for failure” by forcing consumers into EVs at a pace they are not ready for. Currently, EV sales in New York hover around 7-8%, yet the mandate demands a jump to 35% this year- an increase Guelcher calls “simply not possible.”
The uncertainty surrounding the policy has led to ongoing discussions with state officials, though Guelcher described their response as only “quasi-open arms.” He highlighted the influence of California’s CARB regulations and Governor Gavin Newsom’s policies, which further complicate the situation for New York dealers. Additionally, he warned that strict EV mandates could drive consumers to purchase vehicles out of state, undermining local dealerships.
Infrastructure remains a significant hurdle. While investments have been made, Guelcher stressed that the current charging network is built for a small fraction of the market and would be overwhelmed by the rapid increase in EV adoption. “Going from six or seven to 35% would put an unbelievable tax on that infrastructure,” he noted.
On tariffs, Guelcher observed an unexpected effect—consumers are rushing to buy vehicles now, fearing price hikes of “20, 30, 40% in the next 60 or 90 days.” This, he believes, is driving early-year sales, benefiting dealers in the short term. However, concerns persist about potential shifts in vehicle allocations, with more EVs and fewer internal combustion options, which could further strain dealer operations.
Looking at General Motors’ EV strategy, Guelcher praised the brand’s market share gains but underscored affordability as the primary obstacle. He pointed to upcoming models like the Equinox EV and the returning Bolt EUV, both expected in the $20,000–$30,000 range, as key to accelerating adoption. Without competitive pricing, he argued, EVs will struggle to gain widespread traction.
Finally, Guelcher expressed skepticism over direct-to-consumer sales models like Scout’s, predicting they will face the same challenges that have led other automakers to embrace the traditional dealership network. He also cited BYD’s move toward franchised dealers as further evidence of the model’s long-term viability.
"The biggest barrier to EV market share is affordability, and we do not have—save the Equinox EV and what will be coming back, the Bolt EUV—those will be in that $20,000, $30,000 range. Those are great price point vehicles." – Andy Guelcher
