US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Announces Stringent Pollution Standards For Vehicles From 2027

• The US EPA releases the latest national pollution standard for passenger cars.

• Latest pollution standard aims for a 50 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2032.

• New standards will also benefit consumers in the USA for around 6000 USD in vehicle expenses.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its latest national pollution standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles from model years 2027 through 2032 and beyond. This move is projected to prevent over 7 billion tons of carbon emissions and result in benefits such as improved air quality, reduced fuel costs, and savings on maintenance. It’s also being done to push EV sales, which have been seeing a fall in sales internationally. 

Let's delve further into the details.

What do final pollution standards aim for

The latest standards enhance prior proposals, aiming to speed up the adoption of cleaner vehicles, such as plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles. These regulations require around a 50 percent cut in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for passenger cars and trucks by 2032. 

In contrast to the EPA's original plan, which aimed to reduce CO2 emissions by 67 percent by 2032, the latest standards are less stringent as the target number is almost down by 17 percent. The EPA's initial proposal also aimed for two-thirds of new car sales in the US to be electric by 2032, a goal deemed unrealistic by automakers and unions. 

Under the new regulations, automakers have flexibility in choosing drivetrains as long as emissions targets are met. So they can either go fully electric or choose to make cleaner hybrid cars. 

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How new standards will benefit consumers

One significant aspect of these standards is their potential to lower costs for consumers. Once fully implemented, they are estimated to save the average American driver approximately 6000 USD (around Rs 5 lakh) in reduced fuel and maintenance expenses over the lifespan of a vehicle.

The automotive industry has expressed support for the final rule, recognizing the opportunities it presents for American workers and the domestic manufacturing sector. 

The announcement of these standards not only represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of a cleaner, more sustainable transportation future in the United States but will ultimately also increase the demand for EVs in the near future.

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