The Biden administration is implementing stricter vehicle fuel mileage standards in an effort to promote electric vehicles and reduce the pollution that contributes to global warming. These new regulations are part of a larger strategy to increase the production and adoption of electric vehicles, with the goal of having the majority of new cars sold in the United States be electric or hybrids by 2032. The administration has also introduced tax credits, incentives, and support for manufacturers to further incentivize the shift towards electric vehicles. The world’s leading climate experts agree that moving away from internal combustion engines is crucial in combating the effects of climate change.
Former President Donald Trump and other Republicans have criticized Biden’s efforts to promote electric vehicles, framing them as limiting consumer choice and harming the American automobile industry. However, Trump himself has shown support for electric vehicles in the past, acknowledging that a variety of vehicle options should be available to consumers. China has heavily subsidized its auto industry, allowing its top automaker to produce affordable electric vehicles priced as low as $17,000. The United States has imposed tariffs o Chinese auto imports to protect domestic manufacturers from undercutting.
The new standards require American automakers to increase fuel economy across their product lines, with targets to achieve an average of 65 miles per gallon for passenger vehicles by 2031 and 45 miles per gallon for light trucks. This will require automakers to sell more all-electric and hybrid vehicles while also increasing the fuel efficiency of conventional cars. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed that these standards will save money for car owners and reduce pollution, all while making the country less reliant on foreign oil. The regulations aim to make the United States more environmentally friendly and energy independent.
While the Environmental Protection Agency’s tailpipe regulations and the Transportation Department’s mileage standards work together to reduce carbon emissions, the E.P.A. rules are more powerful in terms of their impact on the climate. The E.P.A. rule is projected to prevent seven billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2054, compared to 710 million tons eliminated by the Transportation Department rule. Critics argue that the mileage rule should be stronger and that the administration caved to automaker pressure, but automakers have generally accepted the new standards. The legal durability of the mileage standards is expected to be greater than that of the E.P.A. tailpipe regulations.
Despite Republican opposition and legal challenges, demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, with record numbers of Americans purchasing electric vehicles in recent years. Analysts predict that demand will continue to increase, in part due to falling prices that make electric vehicles more competitive with traditional cars. Carmakers are also investing in electric vehicle production, with plans to release affordable electric vehicles in the near future. Globally, electric vehicle sales have been on the rise, with around one in five cars sold in 2023 being electric. This growth highlights the increasing popularity and viability of electric vehicles as a sustainable transportation option.
