Biden administration reduces emission targets in a win for automakers

Mar 20

Jack Aylmer Anchor

By Jack Aylmer (Anchor), Evan Hummel (Producer), Jake Maslo (Video Editor)

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The Biden administration has unveiled final rules that aim to make it easier for automakers to continue selling gas-powered models and slow the transition to electric vehicles through 2030. The announcement was made on Wednesday, March 20.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a rule that weakens yearly emissions targets through 2030, compared to a stricter plan proposed in April 2023. This move is considered favorable for Detroit automakers and others selling gas-powered models and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

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According to the EPA, the plan will cut fleetwide tailpipe emissions by 50% over 2026 levels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7.2 billion tons through 2055. It is also expected to provide nearly $100 billion of annual net benefits, including $62 billion in reduced annual fuel, maintenance and repair costs.

While some may view the decision as a setback for more aggressive climate change action, the EPA emphasized that automakers would have flexibility in choosing among different technologies to comply with the standards, according to Reuters. EPA Administrator Michael Regan clarified that there is no electric vehicle mandate, and that the industry has multiple options to meet the technology standard.

The final rules reflect reported lobbying efforts by automakers, car dealers, and the United Auto Workers union for more compliance latitude, rather than a rapid transition to an all-electric fleet. Under these rules, the EPA projects that EVs may account for about 30% to 56% of new passenger cars and trucks from 2030 to 2032.

President Biden has prioritized the transition to EVs, citing economic and climate benefits. However, political divisions persist, with former President Donald Trump and others criticizing EVs.

The transition to electric vehicles may be slower than originally proposed, but the new rules are reportedly expected to significantly reduce pollution and improve public health.

Tags: carbon emissions, Climate Change, Electric vehicles, Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, greenhouse gas emissions, Joe Biden, Renewable energy

[JACK AYLMER]

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION UNVEILED FINAL RULES MAKING IT EASIER FOR AUTOMAKERS TO CONTINUE SELLING GAS VEHICLES, SLOWING THE TRANSITION TO E-VS.

THE EPA RULE CUTS YEARLY EMISSION TARGETS THROUGH 2030, COMPARED TO A STRICTER PLAN PROPOSED IN APRIL 2023. THIS MOVE IS CONSIDERED A WIN FOR AUTOMAKERS.

THE EPA SAYS THE PLAN WOULD CUT TAILPIPE EMISSIONS BY ABOUT 50 PERCENT OVER 2026 LEVELS AND REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 7.2 BILLION TONS THROUGH 2055. ADDITIONALLY, IT’S EXPECTED TO PROVIDE NEARLY 100 BILLION DOLLARS OF ANNUAL NET BENEFITS, INCLUDING 62 BILLION DOLLARS IN REDUCED ANNUAL FUEL, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR COSTS.

WHILE THE DECISION MAY DISAPPOINT ADVOCATES FOR MORE AGGRESSIVE CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION, THE EPA SAYS AUTOMAKERS HAVE FLEXIBILITY IN CHOOSING DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES TO COMPLY WITH THE STANDARDS. THE AGENCY SAYS THERE IS NO ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANDATE AND THE INDUSTRY HAS MULTIPLE CHOICES TO MEET THE TECHNOLOGY STANDARD.

THE FINAL RULES REFLECT LOBBYING EFFORTS BY AUTOMAKERS, CAR DEALERS, AND THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS UNION WHO WANTED MORE TIME TO ADJUST,, RATHER THAN A RAPID SWITCH TO ALL ELECTRIC VEHICLES. UNDER THESE RULES, THE EPA PROJECTS EVS MAY ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 30 PERCENT TO 56 PERCENT OF NEW CARS AND TRUCKS FROM 2030 TO 2032.

PRESIDENT BIDEN MADE THE TRANSITION TO EVS A SIGNATURE ISSUE OF HIS PRESIDENCY, STRESSING THE ECONOMIC AND CLIMATE BENEFITS.