WASHINGTON — In contrast to President Joe Biden's nonbinding zero-emission vehicle goal, the EPA's aggressive new campaign would have the legal authority to force the automotive industry to make some tough decisions as it hastens its electrification strategies.
The agency last week unveiled its strictest-ever vehicle pollution standards for cars and light trucks for the 2027-32 model years, requiring 13 percent fleetwide average emissions reductions each year and a 56 percent reduction in average emission target levels from the 2026 model year.
If finalized, the proposed standards could mean electric vehicles would make up more than half of new-vehicle sales by the 2030 model year and two-thirds by 2032. It would mark a massive leap from the current market, with EVs accounting for 5.6 percent of U.S. light-vehicle registrations, according to Automotive News data.