WASHINGTON (Michigan News Source) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is putting forth what it calls “ambitious” new environmental standards which would potentially eliminate gas-powered vehicles and set up an auto industry solely supported by electric vehicles.

The newly proposed standards for light-duty automobiles may go too far, according to some Michigan lawmakers and auto industry officials. In fact, they suggested this week that most automakers already don’t meet today’s more lenient requirements.

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The new rules, which will undergo public comment before being finalized for model years 2027 to 2032, target the reduction of greenhouse gases. If the new rules go into effect, more than two-thirds of new vehicles sold could be electric.

While environmental groups are celebrating the move as a step forward in green energy, some lawmakers in Michigan are asking the EPA to slow down. Congressman John Moolenaar (R-Clare) spoke against the proposed rules.

“The Biden administration’s new rules will all but force Americans to buy electric cars [and] this is wrong,” Moolenaar said. “The average cost of an electric vehicle last year was $61,000. Michigan families cannot afford this terrible Biden policy.”

In addition, Congressman Moolenaar said Michiganders are capable of adapting to technology if they are given free choice in the market. “Americans are always willing to adapt technology, and they do not need the government to force them to do it,” Moolenaar said. “In the past 30 years alone, Americans have bought personal computers and smart phones because they wanted the technology and it was affordable, not because the government forced them to do it.”

Michigan, which has built its economy on the automotive industry, is enduring a push to EVs under Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Just this week she proposed forgoing the sales tax on EVs.

“Savings would be offered at the point of sale,” Whitmer said. “The rebate aims to make it easier for more folks to get their first electric vehicle by lowering the costs upfront.”

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The governor’s office said the sales tax exemption could save buyers up to $2,400 on certain vehicles. She’s also pushed to spend Michigan taxpayer dollars on two EV battery plants. One is set for Marshall; the other is the Gotion plant near Big Rapids.

On Wednesday, the Senate Appropriations Committee paused giving Gotion, which has ties to the Chinese Community Party, hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer money.