California May Set Electric Vehicle Regulations, Emissions -US EPA According to Reuters

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday restored the state of California’s ability to set its own zero-emission vehicle sales and emissions limits, reversing a decision President Donald Trump’s 2019 decision at that time.

The agency said it is finalizing a decision to restore immunity under the Clear Air for California Act first enacted in 2013.

“With today’s action, we revive an approach that for years has helped improve clean technology and cut air pollution for people not just in California but for the entire United States,” said the US Administrator. EPA Administrator Michael Regan said.

The EPA also rejected a Trump-era decision to ban other states from adopting California’s exhaust emissions standards.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said the move redresses “the Trump administration’s baseless attack on a critical program that builds on California’s decades of experience in setting regulatory emissions standards.” under the law.”

On Tuesday, the California Air Resources Board said it plans to significantly increase electric vehicle requirements by 2030 as the state moves to phase out sales of gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035.

President Joe Biden has set a target of 50% of new car sales being electric or plug-in electric, but has not confirmed a date for phasing out gas-powered sales.

In a draft document in December, the California regulator said it aims to have 61% of new sales of zero-emissions models by 2030. A revised proposal, still under consideration. member review, will aim for 68 percent of new zero-emissions vehicles by 2030, 76 percent by 2031 and 100 percent by 2035, a spokesman for the board told Reuters.