The US will reportedly ease down on pollution-limiting rules for vehicle emissions. The Biden-led administration will now give car manufacturers more time to ramp up zero-emissions vehicles.
US Pollution-Limiting Rules For Vehicle Emissions
The Biden administration is reportedly scaling back on stringent new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, which would have mandated US automakers to prioritize electric vehicles (EVs) as their primary business by 2032. The New York Times reported yesterday that industry stakeholders successfully persuaded the administration to allow more time for reducing EV costs and developing a nationwide charging infrastructure.
Labor Leaders Exerted Pressure on Biden to Extend the Timeline
According to The Times, labor leaders exerted pressure on Biden to extend the timeline for extending union membership to workers in new US EV plants. This move underscores the importance of labor union support for Biden, who faces re-election amid a critical climate crisis and scrutiny from candidate and former President Donald Trump.
The Global Heat Record Shattered
This decision to ease the regulations follows a year that saw the global heat record shattered, attributed to an intense El Niño event compounded by ongoing climate trends. Moreover, each year since 2013 has surpassed the record set in 2010, as reported by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Last year marked 47 years since the last colder-than-average year.
What the Initial EPA Requirements Mandated
The initial EPA requirements mandated that electric vehicles constitute 67 percent of new light-duty vehicle sales and 46 percent of new medium-duty sales by 2032—a significant increase from the mere 7.6 percent noted last year.
However, EV sales have experienced a slowdown, pushing the target further away due to various factors. Among these, the auto industry’s focus on large electric trucks and SUVs has strained the supply chain, making affordable accommodation a challenge.
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