A coalition of 27 Senate Republicans spoke out Thursday, calling on the Biden administration to abandon its proposal to significantly reduce vehicle emissions by 2032 and accelerating the adoption of electric vehicle sales.
In a letter led by West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito, lawmakers said the administration plan will "effectively mandate a costly transition to electric cars and trucks in the absence of congressional direction." The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal issued in April estimates sharp emissions cuts would result in 67% of new light duty vehicle sales as electric by 2032.
The EPA has proposed a substantial 56% reduction in projected emissions from the average light-duty vehicle fleet, surpassing the requirements set for 2026. In addition, the EPA has recommended more stringent emissions standards for medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks that would be effective until 2032.
Environmental groups say the administration should go farther in tightening emissions limits. However, Republicans in congress have protested the push for EV adoption and have sought to cut incentives for the new energy vehicles.
Earlier this week, a group of 151 House Republicans, spearheaded by Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, demanded that the EPA withdraw its proposed emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles as well as heavy-duty trucks.
Republicans called the rules the "latest attempt to carry out President Biden’s radical rush-to-green agenda, which will take away Americans’ choice when it comes to the kind of vehicle they drive—and arm-twist people into buying vehicles they can’t afford."