The US government announced on Wednesday that it had finalized new standards on polluting emissions from automobiles, described as the strictest ever adopted, and aimed at accelerating the transition to electric cars.
Compared to the draft regulations announced last year, which has since been the subject of a public consultation, these final standards however give more time and flexibility to manufacturers to achieve the new CO2 emissions targets.
“Strictest standards ever adopted”
In the midst of an election year, President Joe Biden needs the support of the auto industry and its employees. But it must also convince on its climate promises.
“These strictest pollution standards ever for cars reinforce America's leadership in building a clean transportation future,” Michael Regan, head of the state protection agency, said in a statement. environment (EPA).
The new standards concern light and medium vehicles built from 2027 until 2032.
The administration does not set a precise quota of clean vehicles for sale, but gradually restricts the average emissions authorized per year for new vehicles produced by each manufacturer.
Leading source of greenhouse gas emissions
Transportation is currently the country's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. The new standards should make it possible to avoid the emission of 7.2 billion tonnes of CO2 by 2055, according to the EPA. This represents around four times the emissions of the entire transport sector in 2021. The new regulations also affect emissions of fine particles, which are dangerous for health.
Concretely, it will be up to manufacturers to choose which technologies they adopt to reduce their emissions. They could also improve the efficiency of gasoline car engines, for example. But to the extent that many manufacturers are now well engaged in electrification, the agency is counting on an acceleration of the movement.
Since the start of Joe Biden's mandate, who has also committed to developing the network of charging stations, companies have announced more than $160 billion in investments in the construction of clean vehicles, according to the EPA.
According to the agency's calculations, by the 2030s, sales of electric vehicles could represent up to 56% of light vehicles (city cars, sedans, SUVs, pick-ups, etc.).
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