President Biden's announcement that Americans can buy any kind of vehicle they want conflicts with his administration's new emissions standards that industry experts argue will severely limit consumer choices and drive up the cost of gasoline-powered vehicles.
Industry associations representing major fossil fuel and automobile manufacturers have expressed alarm over President Biden's new emissions regulations, claiming that they effectively ban the sale of most new gas-powered vehicles by 2032.
Geoff Moody, senior vice president of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), asserts that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation "is functionally a ban on sales of most new gas cars by 2032." He warns that the policy will both limit the availability of new gas cars and push the cost of remaining gasoline-powered vehicles out of reach for most Americans.
Will Hupman of the American Petroleum Institute echoes these concerns, predicting that the emissions standards could eliminate most new gas-powered vehicles in the future.
In response to Biden's comment that Americans can buy any kind of car they want, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) accuses the president of "political showboating" and attempting to deflect from growing backlash against his EV mandates. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) expresses skepticism about Biden's understanding of the implications of his administration's actions, arguing that the emissions regulations amount to an EV mandate.
The AFPM fact sheet breaks down the specifics of the new regulations, stating that the average car tailpipe emission would have to be 85 grams per mile, an unrealistic target. It also highlights the carbon credit-based system within the rules, which could limit access to gas-powered vehicles for buyers who do not have access to dealers with ample EV inventory.
In contrast to industry concerns, the EPA maintains that the new standards expand consumer choice and pass on savings to drivers in the form of reduced yearly fuel and maintenance costs. The agency estimates that Americans would save approximately $6,000 over the lifetime of a new 2032 model year light-duty vehicle compared to a vehicle meeting the 2026 standards.
A White House spokesperson echoes the EPA's sentiment, emphasizing Biden's commitment to investing in American manufacturing and clean energy. They cite the Inflation Reduction Act's affordability measures for electric vehicles and report a growing trend in American households purchasing EVs.
Several congressional Democrats who initially supported Biden's new regulations have remained silent on his recent comments. Industry experts are closely monitoring the situation and expressing concerns about the impact of the emissions standards on job losses, affordability, and consumer choice.
