US Approaches Stricter Fuel Efficiency Regulations for Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The Joe Biden administration in the United States is reportedly set to strengthen fuel efficiency regulations for internal combustion engine vehicles again.

U.S. President Joe Biden is driving an F-150 electric pickup truck during his visit to the Ford Motor Company plant last May.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the 27th (local time), the AP News reported that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to announce a policy on vehicle fuel efficiency as early as next week. AP cited sources saying that the U.S. government and automakers are discussing the matter, but exact figures have not yet been determined.

This is an attempt to revert the fuel efficiency regulations, which were relaxed by the Donald Trump administration, back to or beyond the levels set by the Barack Obama administration.

AP anticipated that the Biden administration would introduce regulations at the level of California’s independent efforts in 2019 to improve vehicle fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

This reverses the policy of former President Trump last year. The Trump administration relaxed the fuel efficiency target, which the Obama administration had mandated to reach 54.5 miles per gallon (23.2 km/L) by 2025, to 40.4 miles per gallon (17.2 km/L) by 2026. While the Obama administration aimed to improve fuel efficiency by 5% annually, Trump lowered the annual improvement rate to 1.5% to reduce the burden on automakers.

Former President Trump also launched lawsuits against California’s independent fuel efficiency regulations as part of his offensive.

The Washington Post (WP) predicted that this measure would become a core agenda of the Biden administration, which emphasizes climate change response.

However, WP also estimated that the targets might be set lower than those pursued by the Obama administration.

This move is analyzed as reflecting the Biden administration’s policy will to convert 40% of the U.S. automobile market to electric vehicles.

U.S. automakers had supported the Trump administration’s lawsuits against California’s fuel efficiency regulations but changed their stance after President Biden’s election.

American automakers such as GM and Ford have announced plans to discontinue internal combustion engine vehicles and convert popular models to electric vehicles. President Biden personally visited and drove Ford’s F-150 electric pickup truck factory to show his support.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.