The Biden administration will likely unveil revised vehicle emission regulations this week. These standards will initially provide a three-year grace period for automakers, but will eventually align with the Environmental Protection Agency’s stringent guidelines.

The recent updates are a result of a decline in the sales of electric vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions, which are necessary to comply with the standards. The automobile industry has expressed concerns about the EPA’s favored standards, introduced in April as part of an unprecedented effort to reduce emissions from passenger vehicles that contribute to climate change.

According to the EPA, their top choice proposal states that the industry would be able to comply with the limits by having 67% of new vehicle sales be electric by 2032.

In a recent public feedback stage for the standards from 2027 to 2032, the automotive industry stated that the set goals are not practical due to a decrease in electric vehicle purchases caused by consumer concerns about expenses, distance, and limited accessibility to charging stations.

According to three sources familiar with the standards, the EPA under President Biden will choose a different approach that will delay the implementation of regulations from 2027 to 2029, but will gradually increase over the course of 2030 to 2032 to reach the level preferred by the EPA. One of the sources mentioned that this alternative will also include unspecified revisions to assist the automobile industry in meeting the standards.

Two individuals from the automotive industry and one from the government did not want to disclose their identities due to the fact that the Environmental Protection Agency has not yet released the new standards to the public.

The modifications seem to be targeting the resistance of the industry towards the swift increase of electric vehicles, as well as the hesitation of the public to fully adopt this new technology. There is also a valid concern about potential legal disputes in front of conservative courts.

In the past few years, the Supreme Court, whose majority currently leans conservative by a 6-3 margin, has been limiting the authority of federal agencies, such as the EPA. This includes restrictions on the EPA’s ability to combat air and water pollution. In a noteworthy decision in 2022, the justices specifically restricted the EPA’s power to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, which are a major contributor to global warming.

Rephrasing: Biden has made addressing the issue of climate change a prominent focus of his presidency and is aiming to greatly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from cars that run on gasoline. These types of vehicles are the top contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.

Biden must collaborate with the automotive sector and gain backing from autoworkers, a crucial voting group. The United Auto Workers union, which has endorsed Biden, supports the switch to electric vehicles but wants to ensure job security and fair wages for workers involved in EV and battery production.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, stated on Tuesday that the administration does not have any worries about the EPA regulation, which may potentially be revealed on Wednesday.

“While en route to Nevada on Air Force One, the reporter spoke with her and she acknowledged that things of this nature require time. However, our commitment to our goals pertaining to climate change remains steadfast.”

In general, environmental organizations have shown positivity towards the recent EPA proposal.

Last week, Manish Bapna, the president of Natural Resources Defense Council, informed journalists that he anticipates a notable decrease in carbon emissions from cars and light-duty trucks, which currently account for one-fifth of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.

According to Bapna, the regulations for cars and light trucks are expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions from new vehicles by at least 90% in the coming decades, which is a significant accomplishment.

From 2027 to 2055, the EPA regulation “will hinder over 7 billion tons of carbon emissions that contribute to climate damage. This amount is greater than the annual emission rate of the entire nation. According to Bapna, this is a crucial, tangible and significant step forward.”

Amanda Leland, executive director of Environmental Defense Fund, stated that the EPA’s clean car regulations will greatly accelerate the United States’ efforts towards achieving better air quality for all individuals.

Leland stated that implementing strict regulations for car emissions can improve air quality, combat climate change, save families thousands of dollars in expenses, and create numerous job opportunities in the American manufacturing industry.

Luke Tonachel, an expert on automobiles associated with the National Resources Defense Council, stated that the updated clean-car regulations will motivate the automotive industry to persist in investing, as it has already begun to do, in electric and emission-free vehicles over an extended period of time. He also added that the regulations will also serve as a message to infrastructure companies and utility providers to continue developing the necessary charging infrastructure.

Dan Becker, a representative from the Center for Biological Diversity, expressed concern that gaps in regulations could allow the industry to persist in selling gas burning products. He is also worried that the industry will not make significant efforts during the initial three years of the standards, and that these efforts could be reversed if Donald Trump becomes president.

Becker stated that the decision by the administration to delay progress on electric vehicles and permit increased pollution from cars is a result of succumbing to pressure from major players in the oil, auto, and dealership industries.

During a rally in September near Detroit, Trump argued that Biden’s support for electric cars, which is a significant part of his plan for clean energy, would result in job losses.

Some members of the Republican party and those in the industry claim that the regulation would mandate a 67% increase in the sale of electric vehicles by 2032. They argue that this would compel individuals to purchase cars, trucks, and SUVs that they are not yet willing to embrace.

But EPA Administrator Michael Regan has said the new rule is a performance standard that leaves it to industry to come up with solutions.

Sales of electric vehicles in the United States increased by 47% in the past year, reaching a new high of 1.19 million. This reflects a rise in market share from 5.8% in 2022 to 7.6%. However, the growth rate of EV sales decreased towards the end of the year, with a 34% increase in December.

The Alliance for Auto Innovation, a major trade organization, stated in a press release that the EPA’s initial proposal of a 67% increase is too rapid for the industry to keep up with. According to the group, the EPA’s timeline for electric vehicle adoption exceeds President Joe Biden’s target of having half of all new vehicle sales in the U.S. be electric by 2030.

The group stated that the situation in 2032 is uncertain. However, they believe that it would be best to slow down the increase in electric vehicle usage in 2027-2030 in order to prioritize attainable goals and the upcoming critical years.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) chosen regulations aim to lower carbon dioxide emissions from 186 grams per mile in 2026 to 82 in 2032, resulting in a 56% decrease. By 2029, the restrictions will have lowered the emissions to 111 grams per mile.

However, according to the expectations of environmental organizations, the EPA may choose to adopt a different approach where the standards would gradually decrease over a period of three years, reaching 132 grams by 2029 and eventually going down to 82 grams by 2032.

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Tom Krisher, a writer for the AP covering the auto industry, filed this report from Detroit. The story also includes contributions from AP reporter Seung Min Kim, who reported while on Air Force One.

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The article has been revised to fix errors in the EPA’s proposed regulations regarding carbon dioxide reduction, as well as clarifying statements made by the president of the NRDC about the potential impact on greenhouse gas emissions. The agency is set to make an announcement this week regarding an alternative plan.

Source: wral.com