EPA Unveils Emission Rules to Accelerate Transition to Electric Cars

The Biden administration unveiled strict new rules on Wednesday curbing tailpipe emissions from internal combustion car engines by the early 2030s. It's part of an effort to rev up America’s shift to electric vehicles (EV). The US wants its auto sector to make more EVs than cars powered by gas within eight years.    

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final rules. They include concessions to the auto sector. The EPA’s goals for shifting to cleaner cars were first proposed a year ago. But the auto sector argued that the goals were too taxing to meet. The new final rules, the EPA said, allow for a slower shift.  

The new rules tap the brakes on meeting emission benchmarks on fleets of cars and not single cars between 2027 and 2029. The rules then ramp up benchmarks to a 50% drop in emissions by a target date of 2032. What's the goal? For EVs to account for 56% of new car sales in 2032. This is instead of 60% by 2030 as first proposed. The EPA said increased sales of hybrid cars and less polluting gas-powered cars could help the auto market meet US emission standards. By 2032, hybrids could account for 13% of all vehicles sold, the EPA said.       

"These (altered) EV targets … should give the market and supply chains a chance to catch up," said John Bozzella in a statement. He's president of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. It's a lobbying group.  

Environmentalists hailed the new rules. In a statement, Environmental Defense Fund director Amanda Leland praised them. She said they'd bring more jobs for workers, more choices and savings for buyers, and a cleaner future for children.      

Reflect: If the US successfully eliminates all gas-powered vehicles, who would benefit the most? Who stands to lose the most?