Biden Proposes Higher Emission Standards on Gas Vehicles; May Burden Consumers with Higher Prices

WASHINGTON D.C. –  In an effort to increase sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in order to combat the effects of climate change, the administration of President Joe Biden is pushing forth a proposal that would establish extremely aggressive federal regulations governing emission standards on gas powered cars, a move that some experts are saying will create a financial burden for consumers wishing to purchase such vehicles. 

Reports indicate that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has already created new emission standards, which are expected to be announced officially during a ceremony to be held next week in Detroit, Michigan. The EPA has already issued a statement confirming that the new emissions standards will be revealed next week, and that they are meant to incentivize consumers to purchase EVs. 

“Already, President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is powering a domestic clean energy manufacturing boom, lowering costs for American families, and creating good-paying union jobs,” the EPA statement read. “As directed by the President in an executive order, the EPA is developing new standards that will build on this historic progress and support the transition to a zero-emissions transportation future, lowering costs for consumers, and protecting people and the planet.” 

The EPA noted that they are currently unable to reveal the new standards until next week’s event in Detroit, noting that, “Because they are currently under interagency review, EPA cannot comment further on the rules.” 

The executive order that the EPA referred to was signed by President Biden in August 2021, which requires the EPA to introduce new fuel efficiency and emission standards in order to address climate change. Several months after the order was signed, the EPA reversed a move implemented by President Donald Trump, establishing greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles constructed between 2023 and 2026. 

In addition, in 2022 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Introduced new fuel economy standards that would cost manufacturers approximately $236.5 billion to implement, and that expense would be passed on to consumers to the tune of at least $1,000 extra – or more – for the price of a new car, the agency admitted. 

Shortly after taking office, Biden had set a goal for his administration to ensure that 50 percent of all cars sold in the United States be zero emission models by 2030. 

“The future of the auto industry is electric,” Biden said at the time. “There’s no turning back.” 

However, some have been critical of Biden’s ambitious plans to phase out gas powered vehicles as quickly as possible, including Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), who said that the new emissions and fuel economy standards will drive up the prices of new vehicles to unaffordable levels at a time when many Americans are already struggling financially. 

“NHTSA’s new fuel economy standards will only add to the cost of new cars, depriving people of safe, affordable vehicles, at a time when they are already struggling,” she said. “It also enforces burdensome penalties on manufacturers – who are finding it difficult to keep up with high demand and inventory shortages as it is – which will only increase prices further as these ’penalties’ are passed along to the consumers.”