Biden’s New Order Mandates Only Zero-Emission Federal Cars From 2035
Image via The White House
In less than 15 years, the US government will only be using emission-free vehicles. This week, President Joe Biden issued an executive order which would halt the purchase of vehicles powered by gasoline or diesel by 2035.
This move comes as part of the push towards making the US “a leader in sustainability,” and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Light-duty gas-powered vehicles will be banned from even earlier in 2027, with Biden positioning the initiative as the government setting a precedent and example in hopes that the private sector will follow suit.
This new order will run concurrently with a previous executive order to make 50% of all new cars sold in the country electric by 2030, which has been backed by Ford, General Motors, the United Auto Workers Union, and Stellantis.
According to CNET, at the moment, only 2% of all new cars sold are electric vehicles, which would mean that the administration’s goal requires an increase of 48% in adoption rate over the next 9 years. While it may not be realistic, the push towards emission-free vehicles certainly will contribute to global efforts to better combat climate change.
However, it’s important to note that executive orders aren’t laws in themselves, and can be rewritten or dismissed by the administration or another President down the road.
Fingers crossed that more initiatives to fight pollution on the road are adopted in the near future, so we’ll be able to travel from one place to another with a lower carbon footprint.
[via CNET, cover image via The White House]
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