Revolutionizing the Road: Biden's Bold Push for Electric Vehicles
by AutoExpert | 29 March, 2024
Hey there! Big news are in – Biden's team has just dropped the harshest and strictest car emission rules the US has ever heard of, all meant to get more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road. Imagine this: by 2032, they want 56% of all new cars sold in the States to be electric. That’s a massive leap from where we're at now!
So, they eased up a bit from their initial plan last year, giving car manufacturers some breathing room. But don’t get it twisted – this move is still a game-changer for cutting down those nasty greenhouse gases. The Environmental Protection Agency is talking about dodging 7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over three decades. How cool is that?
Year after year, these new rules are gonna tighten the noose on how much pollution cars can spit out. And if car makers don’t step up to the plate? Well, they’re looking at some serious fines. But hey, they can still roll out petrol cars, just fewer of them over time.
Now, compared to the EU and the UK, the US is playing it a bit cool. Across the pond, they’re talking about banning new petrol cars by 2035. And the UK? Well, they hit the snooze button and pushed their ban from 2030 to a bit later.
Last year, the car industry was sweating over a draft that aimed for EVs to make up 67% of new car sales by 2032. Considering EVs were just a sliver of sales last year, that was a tough pill to swallow. But the final goal has been dialed back a bit, and the industry is kinda breathing a sigh of relief, though they admit it’s still a tall order.
Environmental folks are mostly cheering for this, although some wish it had gone even further. But, as expected, there’s some grumbling from the oil sector and some Republican-led states, so this could end up being a hot topic for the Supreme Court.
So, is the EV market crashing or crushing it? Well, it’s a bit of a balancing act for Biden, especially with elections on the horizon. He’s trying to charm the car workers in Michigan, a crucial battleground state, while also tackling climate change, which is a big deal for many Democrats.
Trump, on the other hand, is ready to hit reverse on these environmental moves if he gets back in office. His team argues these rules will make cars too pricey and hurt the auto industry. Last year, the average EV cost about $53,500, which is a good chunk more than their petrol cousins, and let's not forget, the average American makes around $59,000 a year.
The Republican Speaker of the House isn’t holding back either, slamming the policy as a radical move that’ll jack up prices and limit choices for Americans, not to mention give automakers a headache.
So, that’s the scoop! Big changes, big debates, and as always, a lot riding on the road ahead.