Washington.- The United States has revealed new, stricter emissions standards, which vehicles sold in the country will have to meet between the end of 2026 and mid-2031 and which will prevent the emission of 7 billion tons of carbon until 2055.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) points out in a statement that, in addition to avoiding emissions equivalent to four times those of the road transportation sector in the country in 2021, it will also provide $100 billion in net benefits. to society.
This figure includes 62 billion dollars that drivers will save thanks to reduced consumption, maintenance and repair costs, while another 13 billion will be benefits to public health due to less pollution.
Restrictions on emissions from vehicles with combustion engines are part of the US Government’s policy to encourage the production and sale of electric vehicles.
But the standards announced this Wednesday, which the Administration of US President Joe Biden has described as “the most severe in history for vehicles”, are initially less demanding than those that the EPA proposed in April 2023.
The final regulations relax the emissions requirements in the first two years, from 2026 to 2028, but from that year on they increase them progressively until in 2031 they will be almost as restrictive as what was initially proposed.
The reason for the change in the calendar has been the pressure from the automobile sector to reduce demands due to the reduction in the pace of sales of electric vehicles and the problems they are having in increasing their production.
The executive director of the environmental protection group Sierra Club, Ben Jealous, applauded the announced regulations in a statement and said they were “one of the most significant actions” that the Biden Administration has been able to take to fight the climate crisis.
Another environmental organization, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), also describes the announcement as “good news” and recalls that 20% of total carbon dioxide emissions in the United States come from cars and trucks.
For its part, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents car manufacturers, has approved the US government’s decision “because it prioritizes more reasonable electrification goals.”
John Bozzella, the organization’s president and CEO, says in a statement: “These adjusted EV targets should give the market and supply chains a chance to catch up.”
EPA anticipates that the announced emissions standards will increase employment in the automotive sector and provide “certainty” to companies.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has also stated that the measure will protect jobs.
“By taking worker and community concerns seriously, EPA has created a more workable emissions standard that protects workers who make combustion engine vehicles while providing a path for companies to implement the full range of technologies.” that will reduce emissions,” he points out.
jcr/mgr/icn
LifeInvasaqua, candidate for the Red Natura 2000 awards in the cross-border cooperation category.
And don’t forget to validate the vote later in the confirmation email that arrives. Here is the direct link to vote for LifeInvasaqua: https://n2000citizenaward.eu/24051
I am Bryce, a writer for Southshore Journal, and I bring my passion for general news to our dynamic team. My commitment to editorial quality and the responsibility of informing guide my daily efforts. Working in collaboration with our talented journalists and editors, I strive to provide accurate and current information for our attentive audience.