GCC's Statement on EPA’s Proposed Vehicle GHG Emissions Rule for Cars and Trucks

On April 12, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced proposed rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks, a key strategy to limit climate warming pollution. EPA proposed new, ambitious GHG emissions standards for passenger vehicles and GHG emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles (including trucks and buses) for model years (MY) 2027 through 2032.

“The EPA’s proposed rules for cars and trucks represent a critical step forward. For states and the federal government to meet their climate commitments, they will have to make real progress on transportation pollution, and these standards will help accelerate those efforts,” said Georgetown Climate Center Executive Director Kate Zyla.  Transportation currently makes up 28 percent of GHG emissions in the United States, making up the largest share of the nation’s climate-changing pollution.

The proposed standard for light-duty vehicles is projected to reduce GHG emissions a remarkable 56 percent below the existing requirements for vehicle emission, which currently run through MY 2026, cutting new vehicle emissions by more than half. Automakers can meet the new requirements by developing lower emission combustion engine vehicles and zero-emission vehicles. One potential pathway would include electric vehicles making up 70 percent of new vehicle sales for MY 2032 for passenger cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks. EPA is also proposing more stringent criteria pollution standards, reducing pollution that contributes to soot and smog and leads to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.

The proposed heavy-duty truck rule, which applies to vehicles such as delivery trucks, transit and school buses, and tractor trailer cabs, sets a more stringent emissions requirement for MY 2027 and establishes new targets for MY 2028 through MY 2032 vehicles. Heavy-duty vehicles make up 25 percent of transportation emissions in the U.S., and a larger share of air pollutants, including particulate matter. The proposed “Phase 3” standards strengthen and extend the existing “Phase 2” vehicle emission requirements that currently cover heavy-duty vehicles through model year 2027.  

EPA has set a 30 day comment period for each of the proposed rules, starting once each rule is published in the federal register.