Biden Looks To End Production Of Gas Cars – Wants U.S. To Shift Toward EV

Biden’s Latest Proposal on Gas-Powered Cars and EVs Sparks Criticism from Republicans and Energy Industry Groups

The White House and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new regulations aimed at reducing gas-powered car emissions and accelerating the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). The move has drawn significant criticism from Republican lawmakers and energy industry groups, who claim that President Biden seeks to ban traditional gas cars altogether. Critics argue that the proposal could also increase premiums as electric car batteries cannot be repaired.

The new tailpipe emissions rules are set to impact car model years 2027 through 2032, requiring automakers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in 2032 vehicles by 56% compared to 2026 models. The rules are likely to encourage car manufacturers to produce EVs more quickly to meet the stringent regulations. According to the White House, if the regulations are finalized, nearly 67% of new cars and trucks could be electric by 2032.

Biden’s Latest Power Grab

Several Republican lawmakers and energy industry groups criticized the Biden administration’s proposal, claiming that the new regulations could hurt American families, increase reliance on foreign supplies, and make the US more vulnerable to its enemies. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member John Barrasso argued that the president wants to ban the cars Americans drive, while Sen. Shelley Moore Capito suggested that the proposal does not consider supply chain challenges and the lack of sufficiently operational electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Both lawmakers also pointed out that the average price of an electric vehicle was roughly $65,000 last year, more than the household income of 46% of American families. The American Petroleum Institute (API) and American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) also criticized the move, with the API claiming that the proposal would hurt consumers with higher costs and greater reliance on unstable foreign supply chains. AFPM’s President and CEO Chet Thompson argued that the proposal is bad for consumers, the environment, freedom of mobility, and US national security.

EVs’ Effect on Insurance Premiums

Michigan’s Mackinac Center’s Director of Energy and Environmental Policy, Jason Hayes, argued that EV batteries cannot be repaired, leading to higher insurance premiums. This claim raises concerns about the cost-effectiveness of electric cars, despite their environmental benefits. In addition, the US currently relies heavily on China for EV batteries, which raises questions about the vulnerability of the US EV supply chain. A Brookings Institution analysis shows that China currently boasts 78% of the world’s cell manufacturing capacity for EV batteries and controls the majority of global mining and refining of critical minerals required for EV batteries.

The Biden administration’s latest proposal aims to accelerate the transition to EVs and reduce emissions from gas-powered cars. However, Republican lawmakers and energy industry groups argue that the proposal could have significant negative effects, including increasing reliance on foreign supplies, hurting American families, and making the US more vulnerable to its enemies. The proposal also raises concerns about the vulnerability of the US EV supply chain, which currently heavily relies on China.

Alexander J. Williams III