The Biden administration announced new automobile emissions standards that are the most ambitious ever to reduce carbon emissions from passenger vehicles. The rules relax the initial tailpipe limits proposed last year but will eventually approach the strict standards outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The new standards aim to avoid over 7 billion tons of carbon emissions over the next three decades, providing nearly $100 billion in annual net benefits, including lower health care costs, fewer deaths, and reduced fuel, maintenance, and repair costs. The industry will need to have 56% of new vehicle sales as electric by 2032 to meet the limits.
The EPA rule applies to model years 2027 to 2032 and will significantly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter from new passenger cars, light trucks, and pickups. The rule will help tackle the climate crisis, reduce air pollution, and accelerate the adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies. The new standards are designed to be technology-neutral and performance-based, giving manufacturers the flexibility to choose pollution-control technologies that meet environmental and public health goals. The changes aim to address industry opposition to the accelerated ramp-up of electric vehicles and public reluctance to fully embrace the new technology.
President Joe Biden has made fighting climate change a priority of his presidency and is seeking to slash carbon emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles, the largest single source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The administration needs cooperation from the auto industry and political support from auto workers. The United Auto Workers union has endorsed Biden and supports the transition to electric vehicles but wants to ensure jobs are preserved and workers receive top wages. The EPA rule may face legal challenges, particularly from conservative courts, including the Supreme Court, which has limited the agency’s authority in recent years.
The auto industry cited lower sales growth in objecting to the EPA’s preferred standards unveiled last April as part of the plan to cut planet-warming emissions from passenger vehicles. The new rule slows the implementation of stricter pollution standards from 2027 through 2029, ramping up to nearly reach the EPA’s preferred level by 2032. The final standards will reduce carbon pollution and other serious air pollutants that contribute to health issues like heart attacks, respiratory illnesses, and asthma. The Biden administration remains committed to its climate goals and believes the new standards are vital for public health, American jobs, the economy, and the planet.
The EPA administrator, Michael Regan, emphasized the importance of the new standards in reducing pollution and improving public health. The rules aim to accelerate the adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies while addressing industry opposition and public reluctance towards electric vehicles. The administration is working to balance environmental goals with the economic interests of the auto industry and the political concerns of auto workers. The final EPA rule is expected to have a significant impact on reducing emissions from passenger vehicles and improving air quality in the coming years.
