In an effort to promote electric vehicles, the Biden administration is considering a bold plan to enact the strictest federal restrictions limiting tailpipe emissions ever.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is anticipated to announce the new regulations, which will have an impact on cars produced between 2027 and 2032, next week during a ceremony in Detroit. The EPA said the regulations are intended to encourage consumers to buy electric vehicles.
EPA’s statement said, “Already, President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is powering a domestic clean energy manufacturing boom, lowering costs for American families, and creating good-paying union jobs. As directed by the President in an executive order, the EPA is developing new standards that will build on this historic progress and support the transition to a zero-emissions transportation future, lowering costs for consumers, and protecting people and the planet. Because they are currently under interagency review, EPA cannot comment further on the rules.”
In order to “tackle the climate crisis,” President Biden signed an executive order in August 2021 requiring the EPA to establish fuel efficiency and emissions standards. A few months later, the EPA reversed a Trump administration regulation and finalized greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars made between 2023 and 2026, calling them the “most ambitious” regulations of their kind at the time.
The Biden administration is continuing its strong campaign to persuade more Americans to switch to electric vehicles (EVs) and electrify home appliances in an effort to mitigate global warming, and it is slated to submit the idea next week. Soon after taking office, Biden set a target that by 2030, 50% of all vehicles sold in the US would have zero emissions. He has also made numerous trips to EV production facilities.
According to a recent analysis from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, traditional gas-powered automobiles will still account for 93% of all new car sales in 2022 despite the intense pressure from Biden and Democratic-led states for Americans to adopt EVs more swiftly. Additionally, EVs continue to be much more expensive and inefficient than alternatives.
According to Kelley Blue Book, the average cost of an electric vehicle as of last year was $64,338 whereas the average cost of a small gas-powered car was $26,101. Additionally, according to the Department of Energy, model year 2021 gasoline vehicles had an average range of 403 miles, compared to the median 234 miles for model year 2021 EVs.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, on the other hand, published new fuel economy rules last year, claiming they would increase fuel efficiency but admitting it would cost automakers approximately $236.5 billion and ultimately result in $1,000 more expensive cars. Fuel efficiency is anticipated to rise by 8% yearly for model years 2024–2025 and 10% annually for model year 2026.
