AFPM & API: EPA vehicle regulation will eliminate most new gas cars in less than a decade

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) President and CEO Chet Thompson and American Petroleum Institute (API) President and CEO Mike Sommers issued the following statement on EPA’s newly finalized light-duty vehicle standards covering model years 2027-2032: 

“At a time when millions of Americans are struggling with high costs and inflation, the Biden administration has finalized a regulation that will unequivocally eliminate most new gas cars and traditional hybrids from the U.S. market in less than a decade. As much as the President and EPA claim to have ‘eased’ their approach, nothing could be further from the truth. This regulation will make new gas-powered vehicles unavailable or prohibitively expensive for most Americans. For them, this wildly unpopular policy is going to feel and function like a ban.

“Whether you’re a Republican or Democrat, Congress has to make a decision whether to protect consumer choice, U.S. manufacturing workers and our hard-won energy security by overturning this deeply flawed regulation. Short of that, our organizations are certainly prepared to challenge it in court.”

Fast facts:

• Last year, gas cars accounted for 92% of U.S. vehicle sales (per Cox Automotive, less than 8% were electric). More than a third of EV sales occurred in California. Nine of the top 10 vehicles sold last year were gas models, with pickup trucks and SUVs leading sales.
• EPA’s light duty vehicle regulation covers passenger cars and trucks, model years 2027-2032. By 2032, the regulation will require cars and trucks sold in the United States to meet a fleetwide average tailpipe emissions standard of 85 grams/mile.
• This standard is designed to force electric vehicle (EV) adoption and have EVs account for the majority of new car sales by 2032.
• Today, only EVs and five plug in hybrid (PHEV) models meet the 85 grams/mile threshold (see fueleconomy.gov). No gas, diesel or traditional hybrids come close.
• To be able to sell any of those cars in the years ahead and still meet the fleetwide average, autos will have to sell significantly more EVs—regardless of whether that aligns with consumer demand.
• 75% of U.S. registered voters oppose government policies that would ban new gasoline, diesel and traditional hybrid vehicles, including 80% of Independent voters and 56% of Democrats (per Ipsos poll).