announced Wednesday that it will ease its final yearly tailpipe emissions reduction requirements through 2029 and lower its requirements for pure-batteryto meet these targets, representing a softening of the Environmental Protection Agency standards for EVs in the months ahead of the November presidential election.
The regulations will also deliver on the Biden administration’s goals of reducing fine particulate emissions by 95% and reducing the emissions of nitrogen oxides and other ozone smog precursors by about 75%. The administration has faced pushback from auto manufacturers as it attempts to deliver on its EV targets, with trade groups representing many of these manufacturers arguing that the administration’s EV sales targets are not achievable in the intended time frame, risked limiting consumer choice, disadvantaging the auto industry, and triggering price hikes for all types of vehicles.