Executive Order on Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks

On August 5, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Oder that outlines a target to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles.  The Executive Order lays out an aggressive schedule for development of fuel efficiency and multi-pollutant emissions standards through model year 2030 for light-duty vehicles and for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles starting as early as model year 2027.  

Specifically, the EO directs EPA to do the following:

1. Establish a rule to establish new multi-pollutant emissions standards, including for greenhouse gas emissions, for light- and medium-duty vehicles beginning with model year 2027 and extending through and including at least model year 2030. 

2. To begin working on a rulemaking to establish new oxides of nitrogen standards for heavy-duty engines and vehicles beginning with model year 2027 and extending through and including at least model year 2030. 

3. To consider updating the existing greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty engines and vehicles beginning with model year 2027 and extending through and including at least model year 2029.

4. To consider beginning work on a rulemaking to establish new greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty engines and vehicles to begin as soon as model year 2030.

It directs DOT to:

1. to establish new fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks beginning with model year 2027 and extending through and including at least model year 2030.

2. begin work on a rulemaking under EISA to establish new fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans beginning with model year 2028 and extending through and including at least model year 2030.

3. To consider beginning work on a rulemaking under EISA to establish new fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty engines and vehicles to begin as soon as model year 2030.

The EO directs the EPA to establish the new light vehicle standards for 2027-2030 by the end of 2022 and it gives the agencies until July of 2024 to establish the heavy duty standards discussed in the EO.