Revised US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations significantly reduce carbon emissions and enhance public health.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized new pollution standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032 and beyond. The "Multi Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles" is a significant step forward in President Biden's Investing in America agenda, aimed at growing the American economy, creating a manufacturing and innovation boom, and building a clean-energy economy.

The final MY 2032 standards for light-duty vehicles represent a nearly 50% reduction in projected fleet average GHG emissions levels compared to existing MY 2026 standards. For medium-duty vehicles, the standards aim for a 44% reduction in projected fleet average GHG emissions levels compared to existing standards. These stringent standards are expected to reduce emissions of health-harming fine particulate matter from gasoline-powered vehicles by over 95%.

The new standards will especially improve air quality for people who live near major roadways and have environmental justice concerns. According to the EPA, these stricter standards will prevent up to 2,500 premature deaths in 2055, reducing fine particulate matter and ozone levels.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI) have expressed their support for these standards, emphasizing the importance of preserving vehicle choice and making clean vehicles affordable to everyone. The final rule gives manufacturers the flexibility to efficiently reduce emissions and meet the performance-based standards through the mix of technologies they decide is best for them and their customers.

Consumers will continue to have a wide range of vehicle choices under the final rule, including advanced gasoline vehicles, hybrids, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and full battery electric vehicles. The Biden-Harris Administration is also supporting communities in moving towards a cleaner transportation future, including by building a national network of EV chargers and alternative-fuel stations.

Since President Biden took office, companies have announced over $160 billion in investment in U.S. clean vehicle manufacturing. Major automotive players like Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Bosch have declared plans to invest in electric vehicle production and related technologies to benefit from improved trade conditions and subsidies.

Industry leaders such as Amanda Leland, Executive Director of Environmental Defense Fund, and John Bozzella, President and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, have praised the EPA's commitment to engaging with automakers and autoworkers to develop an ambitious but achievable final rule. Leland stated that the standards will bring more jobs, more choices, more savings, and a healthier future for consumers. Bozzella believes the adjusted EV targets in the final rule should give the market and supply chains a chance to catch up.

The benefits of these new standards are projected to be substantial. The EPA projects an increase in U.S. auto manufacturing employment in response to these final standards. Additionally, the standards will save the average American driver an estimated $6,000 in reduced fuel and maintenance over the life of a vehicle. Furthermore, the final rule is expected to provide nearly $100 billion of annual net benefits to society, with $13 billion of annual public health benefits due to improved air quality and $62 billion in reduced annual fuel and maintenance costs for drivers.

In conclusion, the EPA's final rule for light- and medium-duty vehicles marks a significant step forward in President Biden's clean-energy agenda. These stricter emissions standards will improve air quality, save consumers money, and contribute to the growth of the U.S. clean-energy economy.