Clean-air groups are calling the Biden administration’s new rules on vehicle pollution the single biggest action the Environmental Protection Agency has ever taken to fight climate change.
The EPA’s new policy requires auto companies to reduce the pollution from cars starting in model year 2027.
Laura Deehan, state director of Environment California, said it will push the industry to produce more hybrids and all-electric vehicles.
“The rule includes cars and light trucks, like SUVs,” Deehan explained. “They need to make sure that they reduce the average amount of pollution being released from vehicles by 95% by the year 2032.”
The American Petroleum Institute opposes the rule, calling it a de facto ban on gas-powered vehicles, restricting consumer choice. The EPA said the rules will prevent more than 7 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and cleaner air will save $13 billion in health spending.
Bill Magavern, policy director at the Coalition for Clean Air, said the new rules are a big improvement on existing law but added he is disappointed they are weaker than what was originally proposed due to objections from the auto industry.
“Before the emission standards were lower sooner, so they essentially have extended the timeline,” Magavern pointed out. “There’s an urgency to cleaning up our air. So any delay has a cost.”
The rules will bring the rest of the country in line with California, which already has strict emissions standards in place. Many large automakers have pledged to produce more electric and hybrid vehicles.
