New tailpipe emissions rules for cars and trucks are now finalized, cutting them by 50 percent over 2026 levels.
The decision is a push toward more electric vehicles but it will be phased in more slowly than anticipated, according to NPR.
The new rule means EVs could account for up to 56 percent of new passenger vehicles by 2032 as opposed to the 67 percent originally proposed.
It is still cause for concern among U.S. farmers, though, as any push to cut tailpipe emissions and increase the number of EVs on the road could hurt the U.S. ethanol and grains industries.
The Renewable Fuels Standard CEO Geoff Cooper released a statement showing disappointment with the announcement.
“While we share the Biden Administration’s vision for reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy efficiency, today’s final rule certainly isn’t the best way to accomplish that goal. Clearly, the substantive concerns raised by automakers, ethanol producers, fuel suppliers, consumer groups, and many others went unheard by the White House and EPA. Today’s final rule effectively forces automakers to produce more battery electric vehicles based on the false premise that they are ‘zero-emission vehicles.’ At the same time, the regulation would strongly discourage manufacturers from pursuing other technologies - like flex-fuel vehicles and engines optimized to operate on high-octane, low-carbon ethanol - that could achieve superior environmental performance at a lower cost to American consumers.”
