While we wait for confirmation (the final rules are only expected to be published by early spring), let’s consider whether this is good or not.
While discussing the likely costs of a potential Escape EV, Ford CEO Jim Farley recently said that “it’s not reality anymore” to imagine that widespread EV adoption will take place this decade, and given the post-post-pandemic world in which we’re living – where practical considerations like interest rates must be taken into account – buying EVs that cost more than gas cars simply isn’t feasible for most Americans. Then there’s the fact that the charging network still needs to grow, the slow rollout of NACS Supercharger adapters, the poor resale value of existing EVs, and high maintenance costs.
On the other hand, all of these problems are being resolved at an impressively rapid pace, and with 2023 the hottest year in human history and even hotter than expected, one can’t help but wonder what other effects relaxed emissions regulations could have.