The Biden administration is intensifying its policies to substantially increase electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the United States by 2032.
According to Daily Mail, the government has set ambitious targets for EV sales and imposed stringent fuel efficiency standards on gasoline vehicles. Specifically, Biden has essentially issued a kill order for gas-powered vehicles.
President Joe Biden’s latest environmental policies require a dramatic improvement in vehicle fuel efficiency. Gasoline passenger cars are now expected to achieve 65 miles per gallon by 2031, while trucks have a target of 45 miles per gallon.
The regulations are even more challenging for heavy-duty trucks and large vans which need to improve from an average of 18.8 to 35 miles per gallon. These measures are part of a broader strategy to cut carbon emissions sharply by the middle of the century.
The Biden administration has set the ambitious goal of ensuring that 56% of new vehicle sales are electric by 2032. This goal is part of an effort to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate environmental pollution.
Despite the approval of a $5 billion funding program in 2021 to boost the construction of EV charging stations, progress has been slower than anticipated. As of early this year, less than 183,000 of the targeted 500,000 charging stations were operational.
Senator Jeff Merkley has openly criticized the slow progress. He described the rollout of the EV charging infrastructure as "just pathetic," pointing to a significant stumbling block in the transition to electric vehicles.
This delay is compounded by the market's slow adaptation to electric vehicles. Last year, EV sales only accounted for 7.6 percent of new car sales, underscoring the challenge of shifting consumer preference away from traditional combustion engines.
The push towards electric vehicles has not been without controversy. From the legal perspective, the new vehicle emission rules have prompted lawsuits from 25 states challenging these regulations.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman expressed his concerns saying, "The Biden Administration is willing to sacrifice the American auto industry and its workers in service of its radical green agenda." This highlights the deep political and economic rifts created by these policies.
Moreover, consumer reliability has become another significant issue. According to Consumer Reports, EV owners are reportedly facing more problems compared to combustion engine car owners, including issues related to the reliability and cost of electric vehicles.
In defense of the stringent new standards, Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted the longer-term benefits. He argued that these regulations would decrease pollution considerably while reducing America's oil dependency. Harold Wimmer from the American Lung Association also supported the regulation, saying, "The enforcement of these new rules is vital in reducing carbon pollution and curbing climate change, by ensuring our transport sector transitions to a more sustainable path."
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has critiqued Biden's initiatives as the "green new scam," promising to eliminate these regulations should he be reelected. His stance reflects a broader resistance to the rapid implementation of green policies without more substantial support mechanisms. While the administration continues to press for a significant increase in EV adoption, the combined challenge of infrastructure readiness, market reluctance, and political opposition underscores the complex road ahead for America's green vehicle transition.
As the 2032 target approaches, all eyes will be on the administration's ability to address these challenges and reshape America's automotive landscape, aiming for a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
