The nation's slow transition to electric vehicles got a boost Wednesday when the Biden administration announced it had finalized the strongest pollution standards ever for cars and light trucks for model years 2027 through 2032.
The EPA rule requires automakers to increase sales of electric vehicles while reducing carbon emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles. California took another step forward in 2022 when regulators announced they would stop selling new gas vehicles in the state by 2035.
The new EPA standards will represent a roughly 50% reduction in fleet average greenhouse gas emissions levels for light-duty vehicles and a 44% reduction for medium-duty vehicles, the agency said in a statement. The rules are also expected to reduce health-harming fine particulate matter emissions from gas vehicles by more than 95%, a move that could improve air quality in cities like Los Angeles, where homes are built near freeways.
The EPA rule does not prohibit vehicles with internal combustion engines.
“With transportation being the largest source of climate emissions in the United States, our strongest-ever automobile pollution standards solidify America’s leadership in building a clean transportation future and creating good-paying American jobs, all while advancing President Biden’s historic climate agenda,” Michael, director of the agency. Environmental protection S. Regan said in a prepared statement.
“The standards will reduce more than 7 billion tons of climate pollution, improve air quality in overburdened communities, and give drivers cleaner vehicle options while saving them money.”
