Recent reports indicate that the Biden administration is set to finalize regulations targeting gasoline-powered vehicle tailpipe emissions to encourage consumer electric vehicle adoption. Many have criticized the Biden administration’s regulatory efforts against gasoline engines as a de facto EV mandate.
According to those familiar with the matter, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to issue the final decision on the rule, which officials have claimed will incentivize greater adoption of EVs, as soon as Wednesday. The regulations, which have been touted as a major facet of Biden’s green energy agenda, will reportedly force auto manufacturers to expand their EV lineups in the next few years.
Under the current proposal, slated to go into effect in 2027, the Biden administration anticipates that 67% of the new sedan, crossover, SUV, and light truck purchases will be electric by 2032. Additionally, up to 50% of buses and garbage trucks, 35% of short-haul freight tractors, and 25% of long-haul freight tractors purchased in 2032 could be electric.
American Energy Institute president and CEO Jason Isaac criticized the proposed regulation, asserting that it will be ineffective at accomplishing its purported goal of improving human health and the environment. Isaac further claimed the move would create additional costs for consumers buying a traditional gas-powered car.
“It certainly won’t do anything to improve human health. It won’t do anything to reduce pollution,” said Isaac. “We’ve proven in this country that we’re already a world leader in clean air. All it’s going to continue to do is push the costs of electric vehicles on to purchasers of internal combustion engine vehicles.”
“This is purely being done for campaign reasons — to really appease the leftist large donor base that are the climate alarmists that are driving this movement towards really what is a forced energy transition, which is just increasing the cost of everything,” the American Energy Institute president added.
American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers president and CEO Chet Thompson also railed against the EPA regulation, highlighting that Biden has been highly vocal about his agenda to end the sale of new vehicles powered by the internal combustion engine. “President Biden has been clear since 2020 that he intends to use his federal agencies, and the State of California, to eliminate sales of new gas cars,” he said.
Thompson further called out the detrimental impact such regulatory stances could have on the American consumer and the country’s economic and national security interests. He explains that the incessantly pushing the EV agenda could undermine domestic energy, leading to a reliance on China.
“While multiple administration policies push us toward this end, the EPA’s passenger vehicle standards will do most of the damage on their own — requiring approximately 70% of new car sales to be electric in less than eight years,” he said. “This policy is bad for consumers, the economy and national security. It will sacrifice our hard-won U.S. energy strength for even greater dependence on China and the EV battery and mineral supply chain China controls.”
Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) recently slammed President Biden over his green energy agenda. “President Biden has made his intentions clear. He would rather force American families — who are already facing financial hardship under the weight of inflation spurred by trillions in wasteful government spending — to buy electric vehicles to advance his Green New Deal agenda than allow folks to choose the best car or truck for their families, businesses, and farms at an affordable price.”
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