Biden Administration Finalizes Sweeping New Environmental Regulations, Set To Curb Gas-Powered Vehicle Emissions And Push Wider Adoption Of Electric Vehicles
The Biden administration has finalized a slate of highly-anticipated environmental regulations curbing gas-powered vehicle tailpipe emissions as part of its broader efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat global warming. In a joint announcement on Wednesday, the White House and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled the most aggressive multi-pollutant emission standards ever finalized. "This regulation will make new gas-powered vehicles unavailable or prohibitively expensive for most Americans," lead industry groups say.
"While the regulations target gas-powered vehicles, they are explicitly designed to push wider nationwide adoption of electric vehicles (EV) and, according to officials, are expected to ensure nearly 70% of all new car sales are zero-emissions within a few years."
The EPA rule is the most aggressive federal climate regulation ever issued for passenger cars and trucks. It would slash greenhouse gases from cars and light trucks in half while pushing to have electric vehicles make up about two-thirds of new passenger vehicle sales by 2032. President Joe Biden said the rule fulfills his promise to cut the nation's carbon pollution in half by the end of the decade while promoting American workers. "Together, we've made historic progress. Hundreds of new expanded factories across the country. Hundreds of billions in private investment and thousands of good-paying union jobs," Biden said in a statement.
However, the regulation faces legal challenges, with opponents arguing it would harm the automobile industry and raise vehicle prices. Furthermore, it faces significant challenges in reaching its sales target of electric vehicles, as consumer preferences, availability of charging infrastructure, and the availability of key materials for battery production could limit the adoption of electric vehicles.
The EPA rule is anticipated to face legal challenges, with opponents arguing it would harm the automobile industry and raise vehicle prices. Meanwhile, a significant challenge in reaching the sales target is a lack of public charging infrastructure