Congress Takes on the EV Mandate

Republicans want to get Democrats on record on the costly rules

WSJ editorial. Excerpts:

"the EPA in April proposed tailpipe emissions standards for greenhouse gases that would effectively require that electric vehicles make up two-thirds of car sales in 2032. 

The only way auto makers could meet the emissions restrictions is by producing more EVs and fewer gas-powered cars."

"greenhouse gases are ubiquitous and aren’t hazardous to human health, unlike tailpipe pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. Some studies suggest EVs may produce more fine particulate matter—pollutants that lodge deep in the lungs—because their battery weight increases wear and tear from tires. EPA ignores this potential harm."

"auto makers scaling back EV production plans"

"thousands of auto dealers begging the Administration to tap the brakes on the EPA regulation as EVs pile up on their lots"

"Battery-powered EVs make up less than 3% of most auto makers’ fleets, which means they’d face an extremely steep ramp-up to hit the 2032 mandate. Even with Inflation Reduction Act subsidies, the Energy Information Administration forecasts that EVs will make up only 15% of sales in 2030."

"Ford lost $62,016 for every EV it sold in the third quarter. The only alternative is to buy regulatory credits from EV manufacturers. Tesla pocketed about $2,380 in credit sales for each car it sold in the U.S. during the first six months."