WASHINGTON — Republicans in the House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a bill to block strict new tailpipe pollution limits proposed by the Biden administration, calling the plan a backdoor mandate for electric vehicles.
A proposed rule by the Environmental Protection Agency would require up to two-thirds of new vehicles sold in the U.S. to be electric by 2032, a nearly tenfold increase over current electric vehicle sales. The proposed regulations, announced in April, would set exhaust emissions limits for model years 2027 through 2032 that are the strictest ever imposed — and would call for far more sales of new electric vehicles than the auto industry faced less than two years ago agreed.
The EPA says it won't impose an EV mandate, but Republicans say the plan favors electric cars and penalizes gasoline engines, forcing Americans to use cars and trucks they can't afford.
“Americans should have the right to decide which products and devices work best for their families, not the federal government,” said Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Minn., the bill's lead sponsor.
The proposed EPA regulations would drive up costs for motorists “and hand the keys of the American auto industry to China,” Walberg said, referring to that country's dominance over the EV battery supply chain.
The measure passed 221-197 and now heads to the Senate, where it is unlikely to make any progress. Five Democrats: Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez of Texas; Don Davis of North Carolina; Jared Golden of Maine; and Mary Peltola of Alaska – voted with Republicans to block the EPA rule.
New electric cars typically cost more than gas-powered cars, although prices have fallen in recent months as supply has increased and tax breaks for EV purchases approved in the 2022 climate law have taken effect. EVs also have lower operating costs because they do not require gasoline.
According to Kelley Blue Book, an auto research firm, the average transaction price for electric vehicles in July was $53,469, compared to $48,334 for gasoline-powered cars. Tesla has contributed to a substantial drop in EV prices since late last year as it slashed prices, the research firm said.
The White House strongly opposes the Republican Party's bill and said in a statement that President Joe Biden would veto the measure if it reaches his desk.
The bill would “catastrophically harm the EPA's ability to enact automotive regulations that protect public health, save consumers money, strengthen America's energy security, and protect America's investments in the vehicle technologies of the future,” the White House said in a statement .
EPA's proposed standards for passenger cars and light trucks are based on performance, the White House said, and will allow vehicle manufacturers to choose the mix of technologies best suited to their customers.
There are now more than 100 EV models available in the US, along with hybrid and gas-powered options, “giving Americans unprecedented flexibility in where and how they want to fuel up,” the White House said. The EPA proposal could save Americans thousands of dollars over the life of a vehicle by accelerating the adoption of technologies that reduce fuel and maintenance costs and pollution, the White House said.
The Republican bill “would undermine all of these benefits and harm American consumers, businesses and workers,” the White House said.
Republicans said the EPA rule would reduce choices for car owners, “shipping our automotive future and jobs to China.”
“President Biden's rush to a green agenda is failing,” Rodgers said. “He wants us all to drive electric cars – 100% battery-electric, not plug-in, not hybrid. We do not agree with it.”
New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the energy panel, said the Republican bill would stifle innovation and create uncertainty for U.S. automakers. The bill contains “vague language” that could prevent EPA from ever finalizing vehicle standards for any type of motor vehicle, Pallone said.
Instead of working with Democrats on legislation to lower costs for consumers or protect public health, “the Republican majority is once again bringing up an anti-clean vehicle bill as part of their polluters over people agenda,” Pallone said during debate on the floor.
“This bill would simply prevent the EPA from doing its job,” Pallone said, accusing House Republicans of “legislating away years of clean transportation innovation.”