Biden EPA’s New Vehicle Emissions Standards Sparks Backlash From Auto Industry, Republicans

The new proposed emissions standards for automobiles and trucks by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are causing concern for both the auto industry and politicians in Washington.

“EPA’s proposed emissions plan is aggressive by any measure. By that I mean it sets automotive electrification goals in the next few years that are… very high,” wrote John Bozzella, president and CEO of Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade organization for automakers, in a blog post on April 12.

The proposed federal standards would significantly limit emissions from new vehicles, which would effectively push automakers to increase their sales of electric vehicles (EVs).

The agency’s proposal projects that with the new standards, two-thirds of new light-duty vehicles sold in the United States would be electric by 2032. Similarly, it anticipates that 46 percent of new medium-duty vehicles sold would be electric by that year. Currently, EVs constitute less than 6 percent of total new vehicle sales in 2022, although this percentage has increased compared to previous years, despite fewer units being sold overall.

The EPA estimates that its new standards would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10 billion tons.

Agency administrator Michael Regan referred to the standards as the “strongest ever” during an April 12 press conference.

“The proposal exceeds the administration’s own 50 percent electrification target,” Bozzella wrote, adding that his industry is “fully committed to an electric and low-carbon transportation future.”

Insufficient Chargers and Republican Criticism

The CEO of Alliance for Automotive Innovation further stated in a memo on April 6 that there are insufficient public and non-proprietary EV chargers in the United States, which reduces incentives for EV adoption. The memo also indicated that widespread electrification entails a massive, 100-year industrial shift in the United States and in the way Americans drive.

Republicans have been critical of the proposed standards. Shortly after the announcement, Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill characterized the standards as furthering President Biden’s environmental agenda, noting the new EPA coal plant standards and Biden’s vetoed water rule.

“The Environmental Protection Agency will make cars unaffordable by following California’s lead towards a complete ban on gas-powered vehicles,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. California plans to outlaw gas-powered vehicle sales in the state by 2035.

“His [Biden’s] misguided policies are hurting American families while helping China,” commented Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, highlighted significant issues the United States might face as the domestic EV fleet grows. She noted concerns for supply chain challenges for American automakers, insufficient charging infrastructure, and the fact that it takes nearly a decade to extract the minerals required to make EVs, potentially forcing businesses to turn to China for these raw materials.

“EVs should be part of the equation, not the entire solution,” said Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources.