US to Have Half of New Cars as 'Zero-Emission Vehicles' by 2030

U.S. President Joe Biden visited the Ford Motor Company plant in Dearborn, Michigan, on May 18 (local time) and received an explanation about electric vehicle assembly.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] The U.S. Biden administration has announced a goal to make half of new cars zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) such as electric vehicles by 2030.

The White House stated on the 5th (local time) that President Biden is set to issue an executive order aiming for half of new cars sold in 2030 to be zero-emission vehicles, including battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and fuel cell electric vehicles.

General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, said in a joint statement that they aim for 40-50% of the new cars they sell by 2030 to be electric vehicles.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union expressed support for President Biden's goal but showed a more cautious stance compared to the manufacturers. UAW has expressed concerns about the automotive industry rushing to restructure around electric vehicles due to potential impacts on jobs.

UAW President Ray Curry said, "We support President Biden's goal not only for electric vehicles but also to provide good wages and benefits to workers in the U.S. and to build the capacity to produce electric vehicles domestically," adding, "We will focus not on the deadlines or percentages of the goal but on protecting wages and benefits, which are the core of the American middle class."

According to the White House, the executive order President Biden is issuing also includes developing long-term fuel efficiency and emissions standards for vehicles. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation are expected to announce plans to strengthen the fuel efficiency and emissions standards for vehicles, which were weakened during the Donald Trump administration, the White House explained.

On his first day in office, President Biden issued an executive order directing a review of restoring the vehicle fuel efficiency and emissions standards that had been weakened by the Trump administration.