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US Executive Order sets goal of 50% EVs by 2030

NCR US EPA

US President Biden has signed an Executive Order aiming for 50% of passenger cars and light trucks sold in the US in 2030 to be zero-emission vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles (EVs). This represents a dramatic increase from EVs’ 2% share of the US new car market.

In support of the goal, the executive order directs the US EPA and the Secretary of Transportation to begin the rulemaking process to establish federal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for light and heavy-duty vehicles for MY 2027 to at least 2030.

Ford, GM and Chrysler parent Stellantis issued a joint statement in support of the Administration efforts and were present at an event announcing the Executive Order. The statement called for support of government electrification policies including vehicle purchase subsidies they believe are necessary to achieve the goal. “This represents a dramatic shift from the US market today that can be achieved only with the timely deployment of the full suite of electrification policies committed to by the Administration in the Build Back Better Plan, including purchase incentives, a comprehensive charging network of sufficient density to support the millions of vehicles these targets represent, investments in R&D, and incentives to expand the electric vehicle manufacturing and supply chains in the United States.”

The EPA also proposed federal GHG emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks to secure pollution reductions and update air pollution standards for heavy-duty vehicles. “Today, EPA takes a major step forward in delivering on President Biden’s ambitious agenda to address the climate crisis and create good paying, union jobs,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “These robust standards are underpinned by sound science and technical expertise, encouraging the development of technology and innovation that will drive America forward into a clean energy future. We are excited about building on the partnerships with states, cities, industry, labour, and NGO stakeholders to realise this vision together.”

EPA estimates that the proposal would result in 2.2 billion tons of avoided CO2 emissions through 2050 and would provide between $86 and $140 billion in net benefits for Americans, through reduced impacts from climate change including harm to human health, property damages from increased flood risk, and changes to agricultural productivity.

EPA’s analysis shows that manufacturers would be able to comply with these stronger standards using technology that is already used in today’s vehicles including technologies that improve efficiency of internal combustion vehicles, with modest increases in the numbers of electric vehicles entering the fleet.

This article courtesy of Russell Thrall III, publisher CollisionWeek. Check out their website at: www.collisionweek.com.

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