President Joe Biden’s plans to increase electric vehicles (EV) sales and reduce pollution from car emissions have been given the thumbs-down by Congressional Republicans.
According to Mega Dealer News, Biden's plan is to ensure that half of all vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2030 are EVs. Congressional GOP members insist that Biden’s plans are not feasible and will eventually increase costs.
“These burdensome and unattainable restrictions will force people to either pay more for a car they can barely afford or keep their older cars on the road,” Republican Leader for the House Energy and Commerce Committee Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Washington) said, according to E&C Republicans. “This will make our roads less safe, as people are unable to obtain the enhanced safety features available in newer cars.”
She urged Democrats to back the GOP's plans for reducing emissions and has said that it would be wise for the other side of the aisle “to work with Republicans to unleash innovation for cleaner-emitting vehicles, such as [autonomous vehicles], to keep our roadways safe and vehicles affordable,” E&E Daily reported.
Democrats, on the other hand, backed the president and his plans. The effort would be a “big improvement,” according to U.S. Rep. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island). U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) told E&E News, "This announcement... will put people to work in good-paying jobs, lower costs for families and tackle the climate crisis.”
The Biden administration claims that as much as $250 billion in fuel costs by 2050 would be saved once the proposals have been implemented.
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