EPA's updated emission proposals: A balancing act between environment and industry

The EPA announced its updated emission standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles. These standards moderate the pace of transition to electric vehicles by giving automakers the flexibility to choose from a variety of technologies to meet the emission standards.

On March 20, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced the final rules related to light- and medium-duty vehicles. The final Multi Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles expand on the EPA’s existing emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks for model years (MY) 2023 through 2026. The rules are technology-neutral and take advantage of developments in clean car technologies to reduce climate pollution, as well as smog- and soot-forming emissions. Furthermore, it finalized the standards proposed for MY 2032 by giving the auto industry more time to build and scale up clean vehicle manufacturing supply chains in the first three years covered by the regulation.