Major energy and business coalitions have filed lawsuits against the Biden administration to block newly finalized emissions standards aimed at drastically increasing electric vehicle (EV) adoption by 2032.
The American Petroleum Institute (API), along with other prominent groups such as the American Farm Bureau and the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), initiated the legal battle by filing suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
The plaintiffs argue that the EPA’s new regulations overreach its congressional authority and impose an “intrusive government mandate” that threatens consumer choice and the nation’s energy security.
“Today, we are taking action to protect American consumers, U.S. manufacturing workers, and our nation’s hard-won energy security from this intrusive government mandate,” said Ryan Meyers, API’s senior vice president and general counsel. “EPA has exceeded its congressional authority with this regulation that will eliminate most new gas cars and traditional hybrids from the U.S. market in less than a decade. We look forward to making our case in court.”
The EPA’s rules require that up to 56 percent of all new light-duty vehicle sales be electric by the model year 2032, a move critics label as an effective ban on new gas-powered and traditional hybrid vehicles.
The new tailpipe standards form a significant part of President Joe Biden’s extensive climate agenda, which includes over a trillion dollars aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting green energy.
Beyond these vehicle regulations, the Biden administration has also enforced stringent emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles and updated fuel economy standards through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Despite substantial federal investment to support EV production and adoption, automakers report substantial financial losses on their EV lines, while consumer hesitation persists due to concerns about driving range and charging infrastructure.
“The EPA doesn’t have a leg to stand on where its gas car ban regulation is concerned, and we are going to make that case in court,” said Rob Underwood, president of the Energy Marketers of America. “This regulation is clearly bad for consumers, as it will quickly and drastically restrict their ability to find and purchase affordable new gas cars. It’s bad for marketers of American-made liquid fuels and for U.S. energy security. And importantly, it’s also unlawful. EPA does not have authority under the law to do this.”
A separate lawsuit has been filed by other energy-related groups, including the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers and the Texas Oil & Gas Association. These groups argue that the EPA’s new emission limits on automakers’ fleets will lead to an unbalanced market heavily skewed towards EVs and plug-in hybrids by 2032.
The EPA has declined to comment on the ongoing litigation, and the White House has yet to respond to requests for comment.
However, the EPA has previously defended its regulations, pointing to the projected reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improvements in air quality as key benefits of the shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles.