The EPA Must Hold the Line on the Strongest Car Pollution Standards Ever

Cars are one of the largest sources of U.S. climate pollution. Last April, the EPA proposed new car pollution standards that would move us towards a pollution-free future. But now the auto industry is pushing the Biden administration to weaken those standards, which could slow our country’s shift to electric vehicles and harm the climate and our health.

You can help clean up the air for all communities and fight the climate crisis by asking the EPA to finalize the strongest possible clean car standards.

Why are car pollution standards important?

• Transportation is the largest source of climate pollution in the U.S., accounting for nearly 30% of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Air pollution from cars and trucks harms people’s health — especially in low-income communities and communities of color that border major roads and freeways. Vehicle emissions cause thousands of premature deaths and billions in health care costs every year.
• Transitioning to cleaner cars reduces our dependence on oil and saves drivers billions at the pump. It also drives innovation and creates jobsin the auto industry.
• Clean car standards are a critical step forward as we move toward a zero-emissions transportation sector powered by 100% clean energy.

What is the Biden administration doing about car pollution?

• The rule EPA proposed in April 2023 seeks to modernize the nation’s car standards and gradually shift passenger vehicles in the United States to non-polluting, zero emissions vehicles.
• This proposal builds on existing regulations. In 2021, the EPA restored and strengthened emissions and fuel economy standards for new cars and light trucks through the model year 2026. The new rule would apply to model years 2027 through 2032.
• Now the Biden administration must resist industry pressure and finalize the strongest possible standards.  
• The Biden administration also restored California’s authority to set more ambitious tailpipe emissions standards after the Trump administration sought to revoke it.

How is Earthjustice pushing for cleaner cars and trucks?

• Earthjustice has been advocating for strong car pollution standards for more than a decade, and we’re urging the Biden administration to finalize these standards as quickly as possible.
• We are also calling on the administration to adopt similarly strong regulations on truck pollution. Trucks account for a quarter of transportation-related climate pollution, and they also emit heavy doses of nitrogen oxides, which damage hearts and lungs. Despite these health harms, the Biden administration has proposed a rule that would not require manufacturers to produce more zero-emissions trucks than are already projected.
• We’ve also helped lay the groundwork for national progress by defending California’s authority to set stronger clean car standards than the federal government, and pushing California to lead the way towards a 100% zero-emissions future.