FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 6, 2021
Electrification Coalition Applauds Biden Administration for Moving Forward on Fuel Economy Standards
Washington, D.C.— In response to President Biden’s announcement that the U.S. EPA will require automakers to achieve an average fuel economy of 52 miles per gallon by 2026 for passenger vehicles sold in the United States, Electrification Coalition Executive Director Ben Prochazka made the following statement:
“Today the White House took yet another step to reduce U.S. oil dependency in the transportation sector by restoring strong fuel economy standards. The updated standards for passenger vehicles will serve as an important springboard for the transformation of American transportation and U.S. competitiveness in the auto industry.
“We applaud the president for announcing his intentions to set even stronger fuel economy requirements beyond 2026, creating market certainty and federal leadership that paves the way to full electrification of the U.S. transportation sector. The near-term requirements, paired with a commitment for longer-term progress, demonstrate new resolve to rid ourselves of oil’s monopoly on our transportation sector.
“We are encouraged that the Biden Administration has indicated that it will also turn its attention to greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, taking a holistic approach to transportation emissions and oil consumption in the United States. Progress in these sectors would build a foundation for full electrification of trucks and buses on American roads.
“We applaud the Biden Administration for recognizing the need for federal agencies to seek input from a diverse range of stakeholders, including representatives from labor unions, states, industry, social equity organizations, and public health experts, acknowledging and incorporating the expertise of those who have already been leading the way toward the electrification of transportation.”
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About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that promotes policies and actions to facilitate the deployment of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) on a mass scale in order to reduce the economic, public health and national security risks caused by America’s dependence on oil. For more information, visit electrificationcoalition.org.