Auto emission rules are crucial in helping the US meet its overall climate goals. The transportation sector is the country’s biggest source of planet-warming gases. Shifting the US auto industry to EVs, which don't produce tailpipe emissions, is one of the fastest ways to address climate change.
The proposed rules are so strict that most automakers will not realistically be able to keep up with this timeline. Many automakers are already in the middle of remaking their companies and assembly lines to produce more electric vehicles but they need more time and support to make the transition. No matter what the EPA rules are, the industry move to electric vehicles will largely hinge on factors outside of the industry's control, such as the insufficient availability of public and private EV charging stations and a potential shortage of raw materials.