Electromobility: US government: By 2030, half of all new cars should be electric

According to a new US government target, half of all new cars sold in the United States should be largely emission-free by 2030. These include electric cars, hybrid vehicles and hydrogen-powered cars, the White House announced.

President Joe Biden plans to sign an order shortly. This will also initiate the tightening of consumption and emissions standards, “to save consumers money, reduce pollution” and to combat climate change, the White House said.

The Ministry of Transport will tighten loosened regulations under ex-President Donald Trump. The initiative will pave the way to reduce climate-damaging emissions from passenger vehicles by 60 percent by 2030 compared to last year, it said.

Automakers Ford, General Motors and Stellantis said in a joint statement circulated by the White House that they hope to increase the proportion of electric vehicles to 40 to 50 percent of all cars sold by 2030.

The manufacturers BMW, Ford, Honda, Volvo and Volkswagen also declared their support for the initiative of the government with reference to the already existing goals of the state of California. In order to secure the future of electric vehicles, it takes «courageous action», including nationwide and strict emission standards, investments in the infrastructure for charging the cars and incentives for consumers to get them to buy the electric vehicles, it said. The big UAW auto union supported the initiative.

The US Senate intends to pass an infrastructure package with a bipartisan majority shortly, which, according to the government, will also contain 7.5 billion dollars (6.3 billion euros) for the promotion of charging stations for electric cars. Another 2.5 billion dollars are to be used for electric buses.