EPA considers delaying key vehicle emissions rules impacting EV adoption

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to relax new vehicle emissions targets following pressure from automakers citing high EV costs, according to reports.

The EPA develops environmental regulations and enforces rules around air, water, land pollution and more to safeguard public health under laws passed by Congress.

Citing officials, Reuters said the revised regulation would phase in the previously proposed 60% EV share of sales by 2030 more gradually through the decade. The EPA declined to confirm details before the expected March release.

The initial draft aimed for manufacturers to cut average new car pollution 13% yearly from 2027-2032. This assumed EVs reaching 60% of sales by 2030 and 67% by 2032 for compliance.

Automakers called the plan unachievable amid low consumer EV demand so far. Though ambitious, the rules aligned with the Biden administration’s climate urgency, the EPA previously said.

With factors like charging infrastructure incomplete and recent financial hits from EV investments, U.S. manufacturers argue more time is required for affordable technology maturation.

Environmental groups criticize the reported EPA move as catering to automakers lagging behind innovation leaders like Tesla. But transportation electrification progress remains interdependent on various stakeholder alignments.