The Biden Administration in June imposed a rule that requires American automakers to improve fuel economy across their product lines.
In response, Wyoming initiated a lawsuit along with 25 other states aiming to prevent the rules from taking effect.
“Our federal government should not be issuing overreaching mandates that manipulate the free market,” said Gov. Mark Gordon, a longtime opponent of fuel-efficiency proposals.
The rules do not outlaw internal combustion engines. Nor do they preclude the production of low-efficiency “gas-guzzlers.” However, in order to meet a higher fuel economy average, automakers would need to increase all-electric and hybrid offerings while upping the fuel efficiency of most conventional cars.
The new standards require passenger cars to average 65 miles per gallon by 2031, up from 49 miles today according to Alliance for Automotive Innovation. Light pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles would have to reach 45 miles per gallon, up from 35 miles per gallon; while heavy-duty pickup trucks, such as the Ford F-250, will need to reach 35 miles per gallon by 2035, up from their current 19 miles per gallon.
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The rules are part of the Biden Administration’s multi-pronged attempt to reign in vehicle emissions as part of a wider climate pledge, and came on the heels of federal grants for EV charging infrastructure as well as the tailpipe emission rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency under the authority of Title II of the Clean Air Act.
That rule, too, is opposed by Wyoming leaders. Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis co-sponsored legislation last month that aims to strip the EPA of their regulatory authority over emissions.
“The federal government has no business pushing Americans into expensive electric cars they don’t want or can’t afford,” said Barrasso of the effort.
There are approximately 1,000 EVs registered in Wyoming, which account for just over 0.1% of total vehicle registrations in the state, according to the governor’s office.
“Wyoming residents drive thousands of miles each year through remote areas. They should be able to decide what vehicle technology is most suitable for their needs, not the Biden administration,” said Gordon.
Zakary Sonntag is an Energy & Environment reporter for the Star-Tribune. He can be reached at zakary.sonntag@trib.com