New U.S. EPA targets provide the certainty industry needs to accelerate transition to EVs

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) announced new tailpipe emissions standards for light-duty vehicles sold in the U.S. from 2027 to 2032, providing regulatory certainty for the auto industry on the path ahead and flexibility for automakers on how to reach the end goal of a fully electrified consumer transportation fleet. 

“As we experience increasingly widespread adoption of technologically superior and increasingly popular electric vehicle models, these standards provide clarity and market certainty on the timeframe,” said Ryan Gallentine, Managing Director at Advanced Energy United, a national business association of companies providing clean energy and transportation solutions in America. “Nearly every automaker sees that to keep up with changing consumer interests and global technology trends a quick switch to electric vehicles is in order. As many states raise the ceiling for what’s expected, these federal standards set an industry floor for that transition so that all consumers can have access to reliable, affordable, all-electric vehicles in the coming decade.”

The new U.S. EPA standards are the strongest-ever limits on vehicle tailpipe emissions, expected to require roughly 67 percent of sales of new cars and light-duty trucks be all-electric by 2032. In 2023, EVs made up roughly 10 percent of all vehicles sold. Supported by state and federal incentives, policies, and utility programs, the U.S. consumer market can meet these targets.

“There’s no reason to continue burdening consumers with old technology that causes pollution and climate damage when electric vehicles are increasingly affordable, reliable, and available, and we appreciate that the EPA trusts the auto industry will continue innovating and delivering increasingly low-emitting high-tech options for consumers,” added Gallentine. “Now that we know at a minimum how quickly the switch to electric vehicles will happen, electric utilities and regulators need to get to work right now ensuring the charging infrastructure is being built so we can power all these vehicles affordably. As EV sales soar, building a comprehensive charging network for cars and trucks of all sizes will smooth the transition for drivers, and we look forward to working with state and regional leaders to meet these challenges with policy solutions that helps us build a resilient and reliable charging network and electric grid."