Biden Announces Goal For 50 Percent EV Sales By 2030

The White House has just announcedPresident Bidenwill sign an Executive Order today stating that half of all new vehicles sold in the US by 2030 will be zero emissions. This includes battery electrics, plug-in hybrids, and fuel cell vehicles, such as theToyota Mirai. It may not be quite the full-scale EV revolution some were hoping for but it's a huge step forward. Major automakers like General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis having given the administration theirfull support.

The three issued a joint statement: "Today, Ford, GM, and Stellantis announce their shared aspiration to achieve sales of 40-50 percent of annual US volumes of electric vehicles (battery electric, fuel cell, and plug-in hybrid vehicles) by 2030 in order to move the nation closer to a zero-emissions future consistent with Paris climate goals."

It's important to note that Biden's plan is not legally binding, so not every automaker will be required to sign on. Foreign brands, such as Volkswagen, BMW, Honda, Volvo, Hyundai, and Toyota also released statements expressing their full support as well. The new order lays out a robust schedule for the further development of fuel efficiency and emissions reduction measures for light-duty vehicles (passenger cars) as well as for medium- and heavy-duty commercials vehicles.

It also calls on the latter two to rollout new emissions standards by as early as 2027. Biden has also instructed several government agencies, among them the Commerce, Labor, and Energy departments, to "accelerate innovation and manufacturing… to strengthen the domestic supply chain… and to grow jobs that provide good pay and benefits."

California, which has been a leader in reducing C02 emissions for decades, will consult the federal agencies along the way. The plan also received the endorsement of the United Auto Workers (UAW), whose president, Ray Curry, remarked that "Investments alone are not enough. Today's announcement on emissions standards brings more certainty and better planning for the auto industry and UAW member future jobs."

Assuming everything goes to plan, the White House claims the country will be "on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new passenger vehicle sales by more than 60 percent in 2030 compared to vehicles sold last year, and facilitate achieving the President's goal of 50-52 percent net economy-wide greenhouse gas emission reductions below 2005 levels in 2030." Let the political debate begin… now.