Danielle Smith – Keystone State News Service

The Environmental Protection Agency’s new clean car standards are getting praise from groups in Pennsylvania.

The EPA estimated by 2032, more than half of new passenger cars sold will be all-electric, and another 16% will be plug-in hybrids.

Rick Price, executive director of the nonprofit Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities, said the new standards will apply to light-duty and medium-duty vehicles, starting in model years 2027 to 2032. They will aim for zero emissions to reduce carbon pollution by 7 billion tons.

“Even in 2032, they’re estimating about 28% of the vehicles will still be internal combustion engines,” Price pointed out. “These are standards that are going to clean vehicles and protect the public health; again, address the climate crisis and eventually, it will save drivers money.”

Price added as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program allocates more than $170 million in federal funds in Pennsylvania to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

At a news conference, Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny, noted the transportation sector is Pennsylvania’s second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and the leading source in the United States. She said the new standards “address the root cause of climate change head-on,” and predicts they’ll also curb health risks, and drive economic growth and cost savings.

“The Biden administration is putting the auto industry and the country on a clear and predictable path towards reduced emissions, cleaner air and less extreme weather,” Williams stated.

Williams added with the changes, drivers will see $62 billion in reduced fuel, maintenance and repair costs annually.

According to a poll by the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, 57% of Pennsylvanians oppose government efforts to ban gas-powered cars and impose electric vehicle mandates.