Ford Announces Support for EPA Automobile Tailpipe Emissions Rule

An electric Ford Explorer in assembly during the pre-opening ceremony of the Ford Cologne Electric Vehicle Center, Ford’s first EV center in Europe, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany on June 12, 2023. Marius Becker / dpa

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The Ford Motor Company said on Monday that it supports the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) new regulations to reduce passenger vehicle tailpipe emissions by 49 percent over 2026 levels by 2032, reported Reuters.

Ford is the second-largest automobile manufacturer in the country.

“Complying with emissions regulations requires lengthy advance planning, and Ford has taken steps to transform its business to ensure compliance with stricter emissions standards,” the Michigan-based automaker said, as Reuters reported.

Ford said the new rule would provide regulatory stability to the industry.

Alliance for Automotive Innovation — a trade group representing most major automakers, including Ford, Toyota Motor, General Motors, Honda Motor, Hyundai Motor and Volkswagen — said it approved of two of the regulations’ key provisions.

Specifically, it agreed with the inclusion of electric vehicles (EVs) in averages of fleetwide emissions and the exclusion of upstream emissions in compliance calculations.

The auto alliance said the requirements “are essential if vehicle manufacturers are to have any possibility of demonstrating compliance with the GHG reduction targets,” reported Reuters.

Republican state lawmakers have expressed concern that the Biden administration wants to force American passenger vehicle manufacturers to transition to EV production.

Former President Donald Trump has said he will reverse Biden administration regulations that support EVs if he regains the White House.

A California-led group of 22 states support the tailpipe emissions rule, saying without future vehicle emissions reductions they could suffer harm.

“Motor vehicle emissions standards are intended to help achieve and maintain air quality goals that benefit human health and the environment,” Ford said on its website.

The final rule — Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3 — is one of the most important environmental rules of the Biden presidency, Reuters reported.

However, according to EPA chief Michael Regan, it does not impose a mandate of adopting EVs on manufacturers.

“The final ‘Phase 3’ standards build on EPA’s Heavy-Duty Phase 2 program from 2016 and maintain that program’s flexible structure, which is designed to reflect the diverse nature of the heavy-duty vehicle industry,” EPA said. “The standards are technology-neutral and performance-based, allowing each manufacturer to choose what set of emissions control technologies is best suited for them and the needs of their customers.”

EPA has projected that from 35 to 56 percent of new vehicles sold would be electric between 2030 and 2032.

“[T]he standards can be met with a diverse range of heavy-duty vehicle technologies, including advanced internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles,” EPA added.

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