U.S. EPA Proposes Strictest Vehicle Emissions Standards To Date

In April, the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") proposed the strictest pollution standards for cars and trucks to date. In particular, EPA has proposed new greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions standards for light-duty and medium-duty vehicles— including passenger cars, light trucks, and large pickups and vans with a gross vehicle weight rating of between 8,501 and 14,000 pounds—to be phased in over model years 2027 through 2032. The proposed standards are intended to accelerate the transition to hybrid and electric vehicles in the United States.

Light-Duty Vehicles

For light-duty vehicles, the proposed GHG emissions standards would increase in stringency each year over a six-year period. The light-duty GHG standards are footprint-based, meaning they are based on a vehicle's wheelbase multiplied by its track width. Under the footprint-based standards, each manufacturer has a unique fleet carbon dioxide performance target, with fleet