Facts: Tough emission requirements
The proposal drawn up means that cars and light trucks may emit a maximum of 82 grams per mile (about 51 grams per kilometer), a reduction of 56 percent from the 2026 standard.
Until 2055, this would mean almost 10 billion fewer tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
Sources: Bloomberg, NYT, EPA
“Today’s action will accelerate our ongoing transition to a clean vehicle future, tackle the climate crisis head-on, and improve air quality in communities across the country,” said EPA Director Michael Regan.
According to the EPA, no special technology is recommended with the proposal, but it is expected to primarily benefit electric cars. According to the new rules, two-thirds of the passenger cars sold in the United States in 2032 are estimated to be electric, and 46 percent of medium-sized trucks.
“We are strengthening our energy security, we are reducing our dependence on foreign oil,” says Regan.
Gigantic change
This means a gigantic change from last year’s level of just 5.8 percent, where the proportion of trucks was even lower. On the other hand, the share is increasing rapidly.
The oil industry is critical, and believes that the government is obsessed with emission figures, when instead they could have invested in reducing the carbon dioxide impact on fuels through, among other things, renewable production and carbon dioxide separation.
In addition, the availability of charging stations is limited in some places, even if the poles according to EPA become 40 percent more since 2020. Another problem is that electrification requires more power plants and high-voltage lines, which today do not exist.
— It is an infrastructure challenge. We need a lot of transmission capacity to handle all the goals we want to achieve, says Bloomberg analyst Nikki Hsu.
Increased dependence on China?
Other issues raised are the availability of rare minerals and metals for the batteries, which could force manufacturers to turn to China.
In addition, EVs are still, on average, more expensive than other cars, which may anger consumers.
— This is yet another clueless plan that actually has no basis in reality, rages Republican Kat Cammack in an interview with Fox News and continues:
— It seems to be a standing joke in the Biden administration — one of several actually — where they say “oh, so you’re worried about rising gas prices. Oh, you farmer, go buy an $80,000 electric car. It’s absolutely absurd how unworldly this government actually is, she says.