UPDATE 2-GM Backs Setting Tough U.S. Emissions Targets for 2030

September 21, 2022

Print This Article Share it With Friends

by David Shepardson (Reuters) General Motors Co said on Tuesday it backed establishing tougher federal emissions standards to help ensure at least 50% of new vehicles sold by 2030 are zero-emission.

The largest U.S. automaker and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) released a series of joint recommendations to boost electric vehicles as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) develops proposed requirements from the 2027 model year through at least 2030.

GM and the EDF said the new EPA standards “should help to ensure at least 50% of new vehicles sold by 2030 are zero-emissions vehicles and consistent with eliminating tailpipe pollution from new passenger vehicles by 2035.”

Some other environmental groups have raised concerns that the California Air Resource Board (CARB) could ease some emissions requirements for GM and other automakers that did not join a voluntary California emissions deal in 2019.

Asked Tuesday how automakers should comply with near-term requirements, CARB Chair Liane Randolph said it was for companies to determine “the most appropriate strategy to figure out how to take as much early action as possible.”

CARB’s new executive officer, Steve Cliff, said last week that he met with GM Chief Executive Mary Barra in Detroit.

In December, the EPA finalized new light-duty tailpipe emissions requirements through the 2026 model year that reversed former President Donald Trump’s rollback of car pollution cuts.

“General Motors has the ultimate goal of eliminating tailpipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035,” Barra said.

President Joe Biden wants 50% of all new vehicles sold in 2030 to be EV or plug-in hybrid models, but has not endorsed California’s regulation adopted last month to phase out new gas-only-powered light-duty vehicles by 2035.

In March 2020, Trump’s Republican administration rolled back standards set by his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, to require only 1.5% annual increases in efficiency through 2026. The Obama rule required 5% annual increases. READ MORE

GM and EDF Announce Recommended Principles on EPA Emissions Standards for Model Year 2027 and Beyond -- Guidelines are designed to accelerate shared goal of a zero-emissions, all-electric future (Environmental Defense Fund)

Excerpt from Environmental Defense Fund: General Motors and Environmental Defense Fund today announced a set of recommendations that seek to accelerate a zero-emissions, all-electric future for passenger vehicles in model year 2027 and beyond.

The recommendations were jointly developed by GM and EDF to support the next tier of EPA clean car standards. GM and EDF encourage EPA to establish standards aimed at ensuring that at least 50% of new vehicles sold by 2030 are zero emitting, while achieving at least a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in model year 2030, and dramatically reducing nitrogen oxides and particulates, consistent with eliminating tailpipe pollution from new passenger vehicles by 2035.

These specific, joint principles announced by the largest U.S. automaker and a leading environmental organization demonstrate historic progress toward clean transportation. We look forward to working with EPA on incorporating these principles into the next generation of national tailpipe emission standards.

“General Motors has the ultimate goal of eliminating tailpipe emissions from new light duty vehicles by 2035,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “As new standards are being developed, we are pleased to join the Environmental Defense Fund to provide recommendations that support accelerated adoption of electric vehicles to put us on the path toward that goal.”

“GM and EDF are joining together to advocate for EPA standards that will move America to zero pollution from new cars and SUVs by 2035,” said Fred Krupp, president, EDF. “That will mean heathier communities, a safer climate for all, and turbocharging U.S. manufacturing and jobs.”

Outlined below, GM and EDF propose principles that: focus on a path to a zero-emissions, all-electric future that eliminates tailpipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035, provide certainty for automakers and communities, seek performance-based and multipollutant standards reflecting EPA’s long-standing approach to vehicle emission standards, support underserved and socially vulnerable communities, offer a compliance pathway that supports accelerated EV adoption, and encourage coordination between the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation.

Shared Principles on EPA Tier 4 Standards for Model Year 2027 and Later Vehicles

Standards should achieve protective, science-based emission reductions reflecting the availability of zero-emitting vehicle technology. Standards should help to ensure at least 50% of new vehicles sold by 2030 are zero-emissions vehicles and be consistent with eliminating tailpipe pollution from new passenger vehicles by 2035. Standards should also encompass class 2b and 3 vehicles, consistent with President Biden’s Executive Order. New light-duty vehicle standards along these lines should achieve at least a fleetwide 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in model year 2030, compared to model year 2021.
Standards should be proposed this year and adopted next year, providing stability and certainty for manufacturers beyond 2030. Standards should be proposed in the fall of 2022 and finalized in the fall of 2023. Standards should extend until at least 2032 and EPA should consider adoption through 2035, securing deep pollution reductions and providing a stable investment signal and regulatory certainty for manufacturers.
Standards should be designed in a manner consistent with EPA’s long-standing regulation of emissions from new motor vehicles. Standards should be multipollutant, reflecting the ability of zero-emissions vehicles to deliver reductions in greenhouses gases, nitrogen oxides and particles. Standards should be performance-based and build from EPA’s existing and long-standing approach to regulate pollution from automobiles, including assigning zero emissions to vehicles that have no tailpipe emissions. Designing standards in this manner will likewise help to support their timely adoption and durability.
Standards should be designed to enhance equity. Standards should be designed to ensure the benefits of pollution reductions are shared equitably and support those underserved and socially vulnerable communities disproportionately impacted by climate change. Standards must also ensure that greater adoption of zero-emissions vehicles does not interfere with further per-vehicle emission reductions from new internal combustion engine vehicles.
Standards should incorporate an innovation opt-in compliance pathway for multipollutant reductions. A voluntary, transparent and enforceable opt-in pathway for innovative manufacturers could accelerate deployment of new zero-emissions vehicles even more rapidly while rewarding leadership, providing stability for major investments, and ensuring durable outcomes in reducing climate and air pollution.
Complementary public and equitable investments. GM and EDF are committed to collaborating on national and state manufacturing, consumer, infrastructure, equity and worker training investments such as the incentives in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation and Inflation Reduction Act supporting the transition to zero-emitting vehicles and working with key policymakers to mobilize such incentives. GM and EDF are collaborating to support actions that will help ensure zero-emitting vehicle goals are met, and that the infrastructure and the health and economic benefits of this transition are fully available and accessible to all. GM and EDF also recognize the importance of building sustainable, just and socially responsible supply chains to meet these goals.
Coordination. President Biden’s Executive Order on Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks recognizes the importance of coordination, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to draw on the expertise of various agencies and leading states. Coordination between EPA and DOT in carrying out their respective rulemaking responsibilities can help to accelerate innovation and manufacturing in the automotive sector, strengthen the domestic supply chain and grow jobs that provide good pay and benefits. By avoiding interference between the EPA and DOT programs, the nation’s resources can be focused on eliminating tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions and all tailpipe pollution through an affordable ZEV fleet that will achieve healthier air and help mitigate climate change, save drivers money at the gas pump, strengthen energy security, and provide clarity and coordination in achieving President Biden’s goals for our nation.

# # #

One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund READ MORE