East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo's bipartisan legislation to defund the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Rule aimed at transitioning from gas-powered vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) received a vote in the U.S. Senate. Senator Crapo expressed his concerns about the EPA's rule, stating, "The EPA's rule is the most aggressive form of tailpipe emissions standards ever crafted, and imposes a de facto EV mandate on the American people." He further added, "These emissions standards go too far, and will restrict affordable vehicle choices for families, harm U.S. businesses, degrade our energy and national security and hand the keys of our automotive industry over to China."

The EPA's finalized rule titled "Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Year 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles" sets stringent emissions standards for vehicles and establishes a de facto EV mandate. Under this rule, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles can make up no more than 30 percent of new sales by 2032. However, as of last year, EVs only accounted for less than eight percent of new car sales, with hybrids representing about nine percent of sales.

The legislation, S. 4072, would have prevented the use of Fiscal Year 2024 funds to enforce the EPA's rule or any similar rule. Unfortunately, the bill did not pass in the Senate with a vote of 52-46, as a majority of Senate Democrats opted to continue funding for the mandate that effectively phases out gas-powered vehicles from the U.S. market.

This development underscores the ongoing debate and division in Congress regarding environmental regulations and the transition to cleaner energy sources in the automotive industry.