Almost a year ago, the US EPA rolled out its 2027 car emissions standards and confirmed what many had suspected. In fact, the agency openly admitted the tightening of emissions regulations would force an estimated 67% of light duty vehicle sales to be fully electric. In essence, it was a federal EV mandate without Congress passing one.
The US Supreme Court is poised to block an EPA emissions rule.
Now, Republican members of the House and Senate are pushing back. Over 130 members of Congress signed a letter to President Biden, pressuring him to drop the proposed EPA vehicle emissions standards which would force so many to buy EVs.
As covered by Fox News, this effort was headed up by Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho and Representative Randy Feenstra of Iowa. Their aim is to stop the finalization of the proposed regulations by the Office of Management and Budget.
Rep. Feenstra made it clear that he thinks this move will place undue financial hardship on American families who are already struggling. He also believes a mandate strips away personal choice in the marketplace.
For many this controversy might seem odd. They know the EPA writes regulations that help protect the environment, including the air we all breathe. What they probably don’t realize is these proposed regulations are the most aggressive ever, squeezing the auto industry and in turn consumers as the government essentially declares EVs as the way of the future.
With all the problems surrounding EV ownership lately, from electric trucks which can’t tow a trailer more than 100 miles to owners struggling to charge batteries in sub-freezing temperatures, it’s no wonder EV adoption has slowed.
Elon Musk’s price slashing strategy also helped get many who were considering an EV to take the plunge. Since then, it seems interest in electric cars has taken a plunge among those who don’t already have one, perhaps in part from friends and family members observing just how inconvenient ownership can be.
Ultimately, we think anyone who wants to buy an EV should be free to do so at their own financial expense. And anyone who wants to buy a gas- or diesel-powered vehicle should be similarly free. Hopefully cooler minds will prevail and market freedom will be preserved for the future.
Image via Ford
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