Environmental Protection Agency proposes tougher rules on vehicle emissions

THE The Biden-Harris administration has proposed tougher pollution standards in the automotive industry as part of their goal to increase production of electric vehicles and slow climate change. THE New guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would mean that by 2032, 67% of new light-duty vehicles, such as sedans and light trucks, and 46% of new medium-duty vehicles sold will be electric vehicles. The proposed changes could also avoid nearly 10 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions through 2055, roughly double US emissions in 2022.

Details on the proposed emissions standards aren’t entirely clear, but are expected to include targets for electric vehicle sales and new rules that punish carmakers who exceed CO2 standards in the next five to ten years. years. “Specifically, the EPA is proposing stricter CO2 standards for MY 2027 HD vehicles that go beyond the current standards that apply under the HD Phase 2 greenhouse gas program,” said the agency said in a statement. statement. “The EPA is also proposing an additional set of CO2 standards for HD vehicles that would begin to apply from MY 2028, with progressively lower standards each model year through 2032.”

This year has already seen continued progress for the manufacture and sales of electric vehicles. Tesla announced an increase in sales in the first quarter which were 36% higher than the same period in 2022 and 4% higher than last quarter. Volkswagen is committed $193 billion for EV technologyincluding batteries and raw materials, over the next five years.

EV purchases are clearly headed in the direction the Biden administration hopes: EV sales accounted for 5.6% in 2022compared to 1.8% in 2020. In California, electric vehicles accounted for almost 19% of annual new car sales. This recovery is expected to continue in 2023 with 225,000 electric vehicles sold in the first quarter, or around 7% of all new vehicles. The same period saw used EV purchases increase by almost a thirdpotentially thanks to lower prices.

At the same time, cost remains a huge obstacle to the widespread use of electric vehicles. Last year, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, offering electric vehicle buyers subsidies of up to $7,500 for SUVs, trucks and vans under $80,000 and cars under $55,000. Even used electric vehicle purchases could fetch up to $4,000. However, recent updated guidelines from the US Treasury Department have limited the number of Electric vehicles would be eligible for a subsidy.

Another issue is making sure people have a place to charge all those EVs when they’re on the go. Currently, there are 130,000 public charging stations in the United States, with President Biden aiming to meet demand by build another 500,000 by 2030. Part of that plan involves teaming up with local officials to build them in widely accessible spaces, with regional governments to apply for funds by May 30. If all goes well, no one would live more than 50 miles from a charger.