According to sources familiar with the matter, The New York Times reported on Saturday that the Biden administration is anticipated to relax regulations regarding the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
As per the report, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to amend its proposed rule to impose less rigorous standards for vehicle emissions in the near future.
This adjustment would effectively permit automobile manufacturers to allocate a smaller proportion of their vehicle fleet to electric models by the year 2030 compared to the initial proposal put forth by the Biden administration.
The modification in regulations would be advantageous for both car manufacturers and labor unions.
It would afford the industry additional time to enhance its production of electric vehicles (EVs) and expand charging infrastructure before facing stricter regulations that might impact the market for gas-powered vehicles.
In recent years, the electric vehicle (EV) market has expanded, albeit not as rapidly as initially projected.
In 2023, a greater number of consumers opted for hybrid vehicles over fully electric ones. Electric vehicle sales constituted merely 7 percent of the market last year.
Biden Forecasts EV Surge by 2032
In contrast, the Biden administration’s forthcoming estimates foresee electric vehicles (EVs) accounting for up to two-thirds of sales by 2032, a significantly higher proportion.
Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office revised its projected expenditure for the Inflation Reduction Act upward last week.
This adjustment was prompted by a greater-than-expected number of Americans claiming tax credits for electric vehicles.
Furthermore, a modification in regulations could address political apprehensions from the United Auto Workers union concerning President Biden’s reelection campaign.
The union endorsed Biden only last month, following a period of political scrutiny and cautionary statements regarding the swift transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
Initially proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last year, the stringent tailpipe standards were so stringent that they would effectively compel manufacturers to predominantly sell zero-emissions vehicles by 2030.
