On Wednesday, the Biden administration proposed the most aggressive tailpipe emissions standards ever crafted as part of its sweeping climate agenda. The new rules, proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and announced by the White House, will impact car model years 2027 through 2032.
The White House stated that the regulations will “protect public health” by achieving carbon emission reductions of nearly 10 billion tons by 2055. Additionally, it is projected to save consumers an average of $12,000 over the lifetime of vehicles. The administration also projected that the sweeping measures would reduce oil imports by 20 billion barrels.
The White House said the rules will provide a “clear pathway for a continued rise in EV sales,” with a targeted 67% of the new sedan, crossover, SUV, and light truck purchases being electric by 2032, as well as up to 50% of bus and garbage truck, 35% of short-haul freight tractor and 25% of long-haul freight tractor purchases being electric.
The administration’s goal of ensuring 50% of car purchases are electric by 2030 could be a difficult one to achieve, however, given the current state of the market. Gas-powered cars currently represent 93% of all new car sales in 2022, according to a recent report from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. Additionally, EVs remain far more expensive and less efficient than alternatives, with the average cost of an EV being $64,338 while the average cost of a compact gas-powered car was $26,101 as of last year, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Despite the ambitious goal, the White House is confident that the regulations will help drive the transition to electric vehicles. “The market is moving,” the White House said in its fact sheet. “As a car enthusiast and self-proclaimed car guy, President Biden is seizing the moment.”
Not everyone is thrilled with the regulations, however. Critics have argued that tougher tailpipe emissions standards for traditional gas-powered cars mainly serve to increase prices to ensure they are cost-competitive with expensive electric alternatives.
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, tweeted, “Biden’s radical EPA is trying to regulate your car’s engine into OBLIVION. Enough energy fantasies. [The House GOP] MUST use the power of the purse to END the weaponization of the federal bureaucracy. Slashing EPA’s funding should be at the top of the list.”
Biden’s radical EPA is trying to regulate your car’s engine into OBLIVION.
Enough energy fantasies. @HouseGOP MUST use the power of the purse to END the weaponization of the federal bureaucracy.
Slashing EPA’s funding should be at the top of the list.https://t.co/oBVo6Ce56N
— Rep. Chip Roy Press Office (@RepChipRoy) April 10, 2023
Republican lawmakers have also been vocal in their criticism of the new rules. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., said, “Yet another draconian rule from the Biden Admin. From gas stoves to vehicles, their anti-American energy policies put our nation on a dangerous path. It’s time for the government to stop over-regulating our lives and protect our energy independence.”
