API & AFPM: EPA Vehicle Regulation Will Eliminate Most New Gas Cars in Less Than a Decade

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2024 – Today, American Petroleum Institute (API) President and CEO Mike Sommers and American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) President and CEO Chet Thompson issued the following statement on EPA’s newly finalized light-duty vehicle standards covering model years 2027-2032:  

“At a time when millions of Americans are struggling with high costs and inflation, the Biden administration has finalized a regulation that will unequivocally eliminate most new gas cars and traditional hybrids from the U.S. market in less than a decade. As much as the President and EPA claim to have ‘eased’ their approach, nothing could be further from the truth. This regulation will make new gas-powered vehicles unavailable or prohibitively expensive for most Americans. For them, this wildly unpopular policy is going to feel and function like a ban. 

“Whether you’re a Republican or Democrat, Congress has to make a decision whether to protect consumer choice, U.S. manufacturing workers and our hard-won energy security by overturning this deeply flawed regulation. Short of that, our organizations are certainly prepared to challenge it in court.” 

Fast Facts: 

• Last year, gas cars accounted for 92% of U.S. vehicle sales (per Cox Automotive, less than 8% were electric). More than a third of EV sales occurred in California. Nine of the top 10 vehicles sold last year were gas models, with pickup trucks and SUVs leading sales. 
• EPA’s light duty vehicle regulation covers passenger cars and trucks, model years 2027-2032. By 2032, the regulation will require cars and trucks sold in the United States to meet a fleetwide average tailpipe emissions standard of 85 grams/mile. 
• This standard is designed to force electric vehicle (EV) adoption and have EVs account for the majority of new car sales by 2030.
• Today, only EVs and five plug in hybrid (PHEV) models meet the 82 grams/mile threshold (see fueleconomy.gov). No gas, diesel or traditional hybrids come close. 
• 75% of U.S. registered voters oppose government policies that would ban new gasoline, diesel and traditional hybrid vehicles, including 80% of Independent voters and 56% of Democrats (per Ipsos poll). 

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our approximately 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

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