The Environmental Protection Agency’s recent announcement of its newest standards proposes strict regulations for vehicle pollution. The standards are focused on emissions from vehicle tailpipes and greenhouse gases. Setting this standard for emissions means that companies may need to produce 67% zero-emission vehicles. The EPA is calling on the auto industry to take a huge leap forward, prompting them to move much faster towards electric vehicles. By 2032, two thirds of new vehicles must be electric in order for carmakers to be in compliance with the new standards.

Transportation is the greatest source of CO2 emissions in the U.S., fueling climate change. Michael Regan, EPA Adminstrator, says that these proposed standards will help “eliminate 7.3 billion tons of CO2, equivalent to four years worth of the entire U.S. transportation sector, and save lives through reduced air pollution”. Regan also believes that these standards are feasible, despite the initial challenges they present.

The challenges seem to lie not only in the ability for automakers to manufacture cars, but in enabling the infrastructure needed to support this many EVs on the road – ensuring there are enough chargers, electricity to power chargers, batteries, and minerals for the batteries.

The standards must still be approved and there is potential they will be revised. This proposal is ambitious, though improving technology and government support for electric vehicles is encouraging. How fast is too fast? Will the auto industry move at an even more rapid pace towards electric vehicles?