US President Biden signed an executive order to make half of all new US autos including cars and trucks to go electric by the end of 2030.
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What is Happening?
- The President of the United States Joe Biden signed an executive order on August 5 making 50% of all new US autos – this includes cars and trucks – to be powered by electric batteries by the end of the decade, in a major move to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the US.
- The electrification target encompasses electric batteries, plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell electric vehicles.
- The executive order comes just a few months after Biden announced his ambitious plans to cut US carbon emissions by half by 2030 from 2005 levels and to reach zero emissions by 2050.
- To help achieve the target, governmental actions will include tighter pollution and emission standards for US autos. Starting from 2023, new cars will be required to emit 10% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to the previous year. Further reductions of 5% a year will be mandated through to 2026.
- Though not legally binding, Biden’s executive order was backed by some of the biggest US automotive groups and manufacturers, many of which have made voluntary commitments in line with the administration’s goals.
- Leading automotive groups Ford, General Motors and Stellantis have said in a joint statement that they will work to make 40%-50% of all new car sales by 2030.
- Hyundai aims to hit a similar target while Nissan hopes to reach more than 40% of new electric vehicles sales within the timeline.
- Toyota failed to set any specific electric car sale goals but said in a statement that they will “do [their] part.”
- Not only does the administration plans to make a significant reduction in carbon emissions with this executive order, but also hopes to position the US as an electric car industry leader ahead of China.
“The biggest thing that’s happening here is there’s a realisation, on the part of both labour and business now, that this is the future. We can’t sit by,” said President Biden to reporters at the White House. “The question is whether we will lead or fall behind in the race for the future. We used to lead in this technology and we can lead again, But we need to move fast. The rest of the world is moving ahead, we’ve just got to step up.”
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