White House considers relaxing EV goals

President Biden made electric vehicles a centerpiece of his 2020 election campaign. With promises of an electrified future, his administration released strict emission goals for car companies. But now, according to inside sources, those very goals might be scaled back.

Why the slowdown, just as carmakers seem to finally be investing in EVs? This potential U-turn suggests President Biden is backpedaling on his grand green initiative.

Biden's original plan sought to significantly boost electric car sales, setting the stage for mass EV adoption. This was welcome news for climate activists, but, unsurprisingly, carmakers have balked. Meeting those targets would require enormous investment and reconfiguring established manufacturing practices. Now it seems these industry complaints have made their way up to the White House.

According to insider information, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may soften emission rules. Instead of the previous targets, they're considering delaying stricter goals until beyond 2030.

The revised rules haven't been finalized, and supporters claim they won't hinder long-term progress. They assert the plans will just offer temporary "flexibility" for automakers. That remains to be seen. It's hard to imagine anything short of enforceable targets actually motivating Detroit's big names to change their practices quickly.

White House climate advisor Ali Zaidi offered reassurances, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to EVs. Still, some see this potential compromise as a major setback. Dan Becker of the Center for Biological Diversity didn't mince words, declaring the White House is caving to industry pressure rather than prioritizing its environmental promises.

Electric vehicles may have seemed like a winning campaign strategy, but with union concern and attacks from his GOP rivals, the president may be shying away from such a drastic industry pivot. The United Auto Workers (UAW) union endorsed Biden's re-election bid, but the EV transition carries substantial risk for those employed in traditional auto manufacturing. The push for clean vehicles doesn't appear to be without political complications.

This news doesn't spell the end for EVs - far from it. Automakers will continue pursuing greener strategies, but perhaps at their own pace and comfort level. This potential change signals a significant reduction in government pressure on these massive corporations, raising doubts as to how rapidly an "electrified future" might arrive.

Via