There is no doubt in anyone's mind that the future of nearly every technology will be plug in. However, many still have questions about what that actually means and how we will get there. Let’s talk about it!

I will not attempt to talk about all of the topics surrounding this subject because that would have to be a very dense textbook. However, a piece of proposed legislation got me thinking about one topic specifically: electric vehicles.

First, let’s discuss why electric vehicles are such a hot topic right now and why they are such a focus to “drive” us into a clean energy future.

We can see the reason for this focus on electric vehicles very easily when we look at the different sources of greenhouse gas emissions by sector. The transportation sector is responsible for nearly one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions generated in the country. Transportation is followed by electric power generation at 25% and industry at 23%. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector will have significant implications across the entire economy and the environment.

How do we go about making vehicles generate less pollution and operate more efficiently. That’s simple, by making them electric, of course! While that sounds simple enough, manufacturers must be persuaded to design and produce these vehicles and people must be encouraged to purchase them. How do we make those wheels turn?

That is where the legislation comes into the equation. The proposed new rules issued by the Biden administration last week are part of that legislation. Historically, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) puts forth rules that if not followed, will result in significant repercussions, usually in the form of hefty fines. One of those rules states that 67% of new, light-duty passenger vehicles and 46% of new medium-duty will be all electric by 2032. Light-duty vehicles include sedans and pick-up trucks; medium-duty vehicles include things like delivery vans. In addition to this, another rule was proposed that will make all heavy-duty vehicles (i.e., big rigs and buses) be at least 50% electric or use another type of zero emission fuel by 2032.

In addition to these rules, the Administration put forth more stringent tailpipe emissions standards. Vehicle manufacturers are required to report on all potential emissions from the vehicles they produce for which the total cannot exceed a certain amount. As tailpipe emissions standards become more and more strict, vehicle manufacturers are forced to change their product mix because it would be impossible to meet these standards by making all fuel combustion vehicles. If they do not, they will face significant fines or other consequences.

That covers the what, why, and the how of electric vehicles. However, the when is significant. We continue to discuss these things as if they will be occurring sometime in the distant future, however, the future is HERE. Many of these new emissions guidelines are set to take effect in 2032 which is just 9 years from now and a lot will happen in that timeframe. As electric vehicle and battery technology continues to advance in leaps and bounds, we are excited to see what is on the horizon!

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Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/12/climate/biden-electric-cars-epa.html?campaign_id=57&emc=edit_ne_20230412&instance_id=90046&nl=evening-briefing&regi_id=78437736&segment_id=130257&te=1&user_id=fc57ecc3eb345752ff4d1c2d32e6ba3f

https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions