The Biden administration has proposed new auto emissions rules with the goal of achieving two-thirds of the new US car market to be electric vehicles by 2032. This is in keeping with the insane goals of the United Nations and the World Economic Forum and governments such as the UK who have signed up to the Net Zero goals for addressing “climate change”. (In the UK their advisory report says all airports should close between 2020 and 2029 with the exception of Heathrow, Glasgow, and Belfast. These would close between 2030 and 2049.)
The proposed rules aim to set high standards for low greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants to hasten the manufacturing and marketing of EVs.
Michael Regan, head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has described the proposal as the “strongest ever federal pollution standards for cars and trucks,” and believes it will “accelerate the ongoing transition to a clean vehicles future.” While the rules do not mandate greater EV manufacturing, the tough emissions targets are expected to push automakers towards EVs as the only viable option to remain in compliance. This proposal is part of President Biden’s efforts to promote mass adoption of electric vehicles.
Previous tailpipe rules have been a subject of political debate, and the Trump administration moved to roll back auto emission regulations, resulting in lawsuits and uncertainty for manufacturers. In 2022, electric vehicles accounted for 5.8 percent of the US market for new vehicles, up from 3.2 percent in 2021. Biden’s efforts, including funding for a national EV charging network and tax incentive policies, have aligned with major EV investment announcements by General Motors, Ford, and other companies.
Arthur Wheaton, a transportation industry expert at Cornell University, said the standards are a tool to lead the auto industry towards a more environmental path, but flagged challenges in realizing the aim of the policy. Yahoo
For one, while Biden has unveiled meaningful policies to address climate change, history shows that “as you get a change in president or presidential party, then the targets can dramatically switch,” Wheaton said.
“It is extremely difficult to do long-term planning for a trillion dollar industry if you don’t know what’s going to happen, say two years from now, in the next election,” he added.
As we have reported before, here and here, the EV build-out requires massive amounts of key raw materials like lithium and nickel, with manufacturers around the globe competing for supplies, and increasing condemnation for the child exploitation involved in their extraction.