The Biden administration is finalizing gas-powered car tailpipe emissions standards to push for electric vehicle adoption, aiming for 67% of new car sales to be electric by 2032.
Industry groups criticized the move as a de facto electric vehicle mandate.
“The President has been clear since 2020 that he intends to use his agencies to eliminate sales of new gas cars,” the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers stated. “Tinkering with the near-term speed of implementation doesn’t change the end game, which is banning new gas-powered cars.”
The administration faces challenges due to concerns about market readiness, affordability, and potential impacts on consumers.
“Consumers would still end up in the same place, with vastly restricted access – and in some cases no access if California’s ban receives EPA approval – to the range of new vehicle options they enjoy today that fit their needs and budgets,” the group added. “Lowering the pace of the forced transition would not help consumers or protect our country’s energy security.”
Despite pressure, the EPA is committed to securing reductions in air and climate pollution while ensuring economic benefits.
The proposed regulations would significantly increase electric vehicle purchases by 2032 but have faced opposition for potentially benefiting China and raising prices for Americans.
“When it’s all said and done, the outcome is the same,” Institute for Energy Research president Tom Pyle said. “The Biden administration is attempting to force automakers to produce only electric vehicles and the market is clearly not interested in that. They can try to soft-pedal all they want, but the fact is it’s still a ban on conventional cars.”
“The last year has shown that EVs are not ready for prime time,” Pyle said. “They may be a vehicle of choice for some people, but the vast majority of car buyers want an affordable and reliable vehicle. EVs aren’t that.”
“The proposals are the latest effort by the Biden administration to commandeer America’s transportation sector and force its complete vehicle electrification under the guise of mitigating climate change,” a group of House Republicans wrote.
EV sales have increased but remain a small percentage of total car purchases, with cost being a significant barrier to widespread adoption.
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