The White House announced on Thursday that President Joe Biden will sign an Executive Order that sets an ambitious new target to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles, including battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles.
The Executive Order also kicks off the development of long-term fuel efficiency and emissions standards to save consumers money, cut pollution, boost public health, advance environmental justice, and tackle the climate crisis, the White House said in a statement.
“Today’s announcements would put us on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new passenger vehicle sales by more than 60 percent in 2030 compared to vehicles sold last year, and facilitate achieving the President’s goal of 50-52 percent net economy-wide greenhouse gas emission reductions below 2005 levels in 2030,” the White House said.
Officials said Biden will sign an executive order that calls for between 40% and 50% of vehicles sold should be emissions-free and battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric.
Biden is scheduled to sign the order at the White House Thursday at 3 p.m. EDT.
Automakers, the United Autoworkers (UAW), and other leaders, released statements on the Biden Administration’s steps to strengthen American leadership on clean cars and trucks:
“Our recent product, technology, and investment announcements highlight our collective commitment to be leaders in the U.S. transition to electric vehicles,” Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, the “Big Three” U.S. automakers, said in a joint statement.
“Today, Ford, GM and Stellantis announce their shared aspiration to achieve sales of 40-50% of annual U.S. volumes of electric vehicles (battery electric, fuel cell, and plug-in hybrid vehicles) by 2030.”
In his remarks, United Auto Workers President Ray Curry warned that the United States is falling behind China and Europe in zero-emission vehicle production.
“Fortunately, President Biden recognizes the importance of this moment,” Curry said in a statement. “[This plan] makes the bold investments in manufacturing, consumer incentives, and infrastructure needed to ensure vehicles of the future are made in our country.”
“We support the administration’s goal of reaching an electric vehicle future and applaud President Biden’s leadership on reducing emissions and investing in critical infrastructure to achieve these reductions,” Ford added in a joint statement with BMW, Volkswagen, Volvo, and Honda.
“These new proposed rules are a critical step forward and will benefit our health, economy, and planet,” added Julie Ceqeira, executive director of the U.S. Climate Alliance.
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