Gage Skidmore CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED, via Flickr / Gage Skidmore CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED, via Flickr, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

President Joe Biden has solidified what some are calling the most aggressive push in history towards the eradication of gas-powered vehicles, mandating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) for American consumers.

The New York Times previously reported that the Biden administration might back down from its stringent stance, citing a decline in demand for EVs in recent years. However, the administration has now officially rolled out strict new tailpipe emission regulations, aiming to phase out most gas-powered vehicles by 2030 and prioritize the sale of electric vehicles.

Despite initial hesitations, the administration ultimately yielded to pressure from environmentalist groups and activists on the far-left, resulting in what critics are dubbing the most forceful effort to date to eliminate gas-powered vehicles. Nevertheless, it is expected to face legal challenges.

The now controversial rule mandates automakers to bolster electric vehicle sales while curbing emissions from gasoline-powered models.

Under the new standards, which will be phased in starting from model year 2027, vehicle sales must be predominantly electric by model year 2032. Most electric vehicles will need to be sold to comply with stringent regulations on fleet emissions.

This landmark move by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a cornerstone of President Biden's climate change agenda, designed to transform both the U.S. auto industry and Americans' transportation habits, The Washington Times reports. 

“With transportation being the largest source of U.S. climate emissions, these unprecedented pollution standards for vehicles underscore America's commitment to a cleaner transportation future and the creation of well-paying American jobs, all while advancing President Biden’s historic climate agenda,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan asserted. 

The EPA rule imposes strict limits on tailpipe emissions, aiming for 56% of new vehicles sold in the U.S. to be electric within eight years, along with 13% being plug-in hybrids or other partially electric cars—a significant increase from current EV sales figures.

Despite objections from car dealerships, industry leaders, and manufacturers, and despite slower-than-expected demand for EVs in recent years, the administration has pressed forward with its plan. Critics have accused Biden of prioritizing political gain ahead of the upcoming election and pandering to his base.

The Trump campaign said the climate regulations would force Americans to buy expensive electric vehicles (EV) and reduce consumer choice in a statement to Fox News Digital. The campaign further vowed that Trump would immediately strike down the regulations on his first day back in office.

“Joe Biden's extreme electric vehicle mandate will force Americans to buy ultra-expensive cars they do not want and cannot afford while destroying the U.S. auto industry in the process,” Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News. “This radical policy is anti-jobs, anti-consumer and anti-American.”

“It will destroy the livelihoods of countless U.S. autoworkers while sending the U.S. auto industry to China. President Trump will reverse Joe Biden's extreme electric vehicle mandate on Day One,” Leavitt added.

Senators from both sides of the aisle have voiced opposition, with Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia asserting that the federal government lacks the authority to mandate vehicle purchases. Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell accused Democrats of prioritizing activists over American workers.

Critics, including former President Donald Trump and Republican opponents, have raised concerns about the economic implications of such restrictions, suggesting they could advantage China, a major player in the EV manufacturing industry.