The US is planning to relax CO2 standards on vehicles
- Biden administration had introduced new emissions standards for new vehicles in the United States starting in 2027, aiming for a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2032. These standards strongly encouraged the electrification of the vehicle fleet, with a target of 67% of sales being battery electric vehicles by 2032. However, these standards have been gradually relaxed and are therefore less strict than initially planned, in order not to unduly constrain the American automotive industry.
- In March 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to implement new emissions standards for light vehicles sold in the US between 2027 and 2032. Current standards would be relaxed and revised to offer more flexibility to carmakers.
- The main adjustment concerns the 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2032 compared to 2026 levels. Carmakers will have more time to achieve these targets, particularly due to industrial constraints and the costs associated with electrifying their vehicles. New projections from the US government predict that 30% to 56% of new vehicle sales will be battery electric by 2032.