The Biden administration is on the verge of finalizing overreaching gas-powered car tailpipe emissions laws, which aim to significantly boost electric vehicle (EV) adoption and would harm America’s gas-powered auto industry. Dubbed a “de facto electric vehicle mandate”, these standards target a staggering 67% of new car sales to be electric by 2032, Fox News Digital reports.
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers expressed skepticism, stating, “Lowering the pace of the forced transition would not help consumers or protect our country’s energy security.”
However, the White House claims that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rules will pave a clear path for increased EV sales.
While President Biden initially aimed for 50% of car purchases to be electric by 2030, the current proposal seeks an even more aggressive timeline. The plan includes delaying the implementation of stringent regulations until 2030, followed by rapid compliance from automakers. This adjustment appears to address concerns raised by auto union leaders. According to the New York Times, the more aggressive federal tailpipe regulations and targets for EV sales would be delayed until 2030 under the plan EPA is preparing to finalize soon. Automakers would then be forced to rapidly ramp up compliance with the standards in just a couple of years.
Critics say that the administration’s push for EVs overlooks market realities. Tom Pyle, president of the Institute for Energy Research, believes the Biden administration is effectively imposing a ban on conventional cars, despite the market’s lack of enthusiasm for electric vehicles. He asserts, “The last year has shown that EVs are not ready for prime time.” He continued, emphasizing, “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.”
Despite the administration’s optimism, there is considerable pushback from industry and Republican lawmakers. They argue that the market isn’t prepared for such a drastic increase in EV adoption and warn of potential adverse effects, including higher prices for consumers and benefiting China’s EV market. A group of more than 150 House Republicans wrote to EPA Administrator Michael Regan in May, expressing their concerns, stating, “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.”
While EV purchases saw a modest increase last year, they remain a minority in the overall market, with EVs still significantly more expensive than traditional gas-powered cars. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation highlights the disparity, noting the average cost of an EV is around $52,500, compared to $24,000 for a subcompact gas car.
