Institute for Energy Research: 🔌 Biden Finalizes Gas-Vehicle Ban

Biden Finalizes Regulation for Regulation for Electric Vehicles Mandates: Two-Thirds by 2032 Summary: DOE changed its unrealistically high ratings for electric vehicles because a relatively small number of electric vehicles would mathematically guarantee compliance without much change in overall fleet efficiency. Its recent announced change will still lower the electric vehicle ratings but it will slow their phase out so that automakers can adjust and still make a profit from SUVs and pickups. Similarly, EPA adjusted its tailpipe emissions rule to soften the trajectory to 2030, but the 2032 goal still remains the same—to get two-thirds of new car sales to be electric by 2032. Fast Facts: The Biden administration has finalized rules regarding tailpipe emissions and fuel economy credits for electric vehicles requiring automakers to have electric vehicles command about 67 percent of their new car sales in 2032, up from less than 8 percent today. Automakers currently lose billions of dollars on electric vehicles and make up their losses in part by selling gasoline-powered pickups and SUVs. Automakers currently lose billions of dollars on electric vehicles and make up their losses in part by selling gasoline-powered pickups and SUVs. Read More...

New From IER   As Renewable Energy Increases in the Generation Mix, Power Outages Grow Summary: A study has found that power outages have increased by 93 percent across the United States over the last 5 years—a time when solar and wind power have increased by 60 percent. Texas, who leads the nation in wind generation, and California, who leads the nation in solar generation, have had the largest number of power outages in the nation over those 5 years. The U.S. electric power grid is aging but it is being asked to handle increasing demand from President Biden's forced "green" energy transition along with an increase in generation from intermittent and weather-driven renewables (wind and solar), which are to displace affordable and reliable natural gas and coal power that currently supply almost 60 percent of U.S. generation.  Fast Facts: Texas and California produce more renewable energy than all other states, but they also lead the nation in power outages. The grid is increasingly challenged by intermittent, weather-driven energy sources such as wind and solar, and states relying more heavily on these have been more prone to outages. Power outages have surged 93 percent over the last 5 years, as states have added 60 percent more wind and solar energy because of state renewable portfolio mandates and the Biden Administration's "energy transition policies." Read More...