EPA releases final vehicle emissions rule pushing more EV sales

The Biden administration released Wednesday its final tailpipe emission standards, some of the strictest pollution targets ever designed to push a transition to electric vehicles.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that from 2030 to 2032, manufacturers may choose, to meet the standards, for about 30% to 56% of new light-duty vehicle sales to be electric. About 20% to 32% of new medium-duty vehicle sales, according to EPA projections, will be electric.

There will also be increases in hybrid electric vehicles, which combine aspects of battery-electric and gas-powered engines, the EPA estimates.

Daniel Turner, executive director of Power The Future, said the Biden administration is using the standards to push an EV mandate that wouldn’t be able to pass Congress and that consumers don’t want.

“If EVs are as popular as Joe Biden claims, he wouldn’t have to force them through executive fiat or prop them up with taxpayer subsidies. With layoffs of workers, billions in losses, and CEO’s losing their jobs, it’s clear the electric vehicle bloodbath has already begun,” Turner said in a statement.

The standards will phase in the mandates over model years 2027 through 2032.