The White House stated on Thursday that President Joe Biden will set a goal for 50% of all automobiles sold in the United States to be zero-emission vehicles by 2030.
Biden’s approach follows the Trump administration’s significant weakening of many environmental laws and climate protections.
According to a White House statement, “the President will sign an Executive Order setting an ambitious new objective of making 50% of all new vehicles produced in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles.”
The directive, which is set to be issued on Thursday, would allow “America to lead the electric car future ahead, outcompete China, and address the climate catastrophe,” according to the White House.
Ford, GM, and Stellantis, the three major American automakers, have stated their “common ambition” to sell 40-50 percent of electric cars by 2030, including battery electric, fuel cell, and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
BMW, Honda, Volkswagon, and Volvo, whose electric vehicles are typically regarded more capable than their US counterparts, praised the move in a separate statement.
President Ray Curry stated in a statement published through the White House, “The members of the UAW, existing and future, are ready to produce these electric vehicles and trucks, as well as the batteries that go in them.”
“America’s secret weapon in winning this global competition is our members.”
Although the 50% number is not far off from what many American firms were thinking, it is a lofty goal for the country as a whole.
Tesla, the world’s leading electric car manufacturer, is based in the nation, although it has been sluggish to adopt electric vehicles in comparison to China or Europe.
According to the International Energy Agency in 2020, while electric cars account for about 10% of European automobile sales, they account for less than 2% in the United States.
Biden also plans to strengthen fuel consumption and pollution rules, which were drastically weakened under Trump’s predecessor.
Car emissions are the single largest contribution to climate change in the United States.
The new emissions standards, which go into effect in March 2020, require automakers to increase their cars’ energy efficiency by 1.5 percent between 2021 and 2026, compared to the Obama administration’s requirement of 5%.