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The Road to Cleaner Cars: Why US Progress Must Not Stall
As we move forward into a new era, it is crucial that the United States sustains its momentum in clean vehicle technology to remain competitive and win in global markets. The country’s progress in this area has been significant, with electric vehicles (EVs) now accounting for over 11% of new car sales in the US, up from just 6.7% in 2022.
Policies have played a vital role in boosting American competitiveness in the EV market. Firstly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has re-established forward-looking clean car standards, ensuring that the country can keep pace with global developments. Secondly, federal legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Bill has injected billions of dollars into public investments in various programs aimed at supporting electric vehicle manufacturing, infrastructure development, and grid resilience.
The results have been impressive. Sales of EVs have skyrocketed, with over 195,000 new jobs created in this industry alone. Automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers are investing heavily in US-based electric vehicle production as they acknowledge the future of global mobility lies in electric vehicles. In fact, car manufacturers worldwide have committed to invest a staggering $1.2 trillion in transitioning the industry, with $312 billion expected to flow into the US.
This growth presents an opportunity for the US economy to receive a significant boost, especially considering China and the EU’s dominance in this space. However, as we begin a new era under the Trump administration, concerns are growing that the clean car standards responsible for this progress may face a rollback.
Rolling back emissions standards would not only hinder environmental progress but also undermine America’s ability to compete globally as stronger emissions standards become the international norm. As the automotive market continues its shift towards electric vehicles, US manufacturers risk losing market share to competitors operating in more stable regulatory environments.
To remain competitive and seize control of this emerging sector, it is essential that the administration preserves and strengthens clean car standards. By doing so, we will not only protect environmental progress but also save American consumers money at the pump and foster our economic leadership.
The choice before us is clear: either continue down a path that has yielded remarkable results or risk ceding technological and economic superiority to global competitors.
Source: www.forbes.com
