The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given carmakers more flexibility to meet aggressive vehicle emissions targets in the later years of the current regulations. The EPA will allow automakers to earn partially zero-emission vehicle credits earlier than planned in the 2027-2026 model years. This effectively gives the industry an additional year to comply with strict annual emissions limits.
The move aims to provide relief to car companies struggling with supply chain issues and high costs associated with the rapid shift to electric vehicles (EVs). It comes after automakers lobbied the EPA for more flexibility in implementing the rules finalized under President Biden in 2020.
The regulations require the industry to cut average vehicle emissions by around 8% annually through 2026, and then by 10% in 2027. Compliance is measured against an annual sales-weighted fleet average. Experts say meeting the targets will require around half of new car sales to be electric by 2030.
The EPA says the policy change maintains the same overall emissions reduction levels while giving automakers more lead time. However, environmental groups argue it could undermine the climate benefits by delaying the transition to zero-emissions vehicles.
The change highlights both the challenges of rapidly electrifying transport and ongoing tensions between industry and regulators over the pace of emissions cuts. It remains to be seen if the flexibility helps speed the adoption of EVs in the long run.
By The Guardian
Photo by Ryan Searle
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