(TThe Center Square) – The Illinois Corn Growers Association is one of several groups applauding the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of a bill that would strike down the Biden administration’s aggressive electric vehicle standards.
On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Automobile Retail Sales Choice Act by a bipartisan vote of 221-197.of CARS Act It would defeat the Biden administration’s initiative to require two out of every three new cars to be electric by 2032. The bill is currently before the U.S. Senate.
The CARS Act could also prevent the EPA from enforcing future vehicle emissions regulations that mandate certain technologies or limit vehicle availability based on engine type.
Brad Stotler, public policy director for Illinois Corn, said it’s unrealistic to force farmers in rural areas to use electric vehicles.
“Some people choose a car based on their lifestyle, and that is a big part of the choice when deciding which car to own.Also, making sure there is infrastructure in place to charge the car is a big part of the decision. If not, why would you as a consumer make the decision to buy a car?” Stoller said. he told Center Square.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s goals are similar to the Biden administration’s plan. Pritzker said he wants to have 1 million electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2030.
In 2022, the Pritzker administration announced an electric vehicle rebate program that will provide consumers with a $4,000 rebate when they purchase an electric vehicle.However, approximately 4,000 car dealers letter In response to the Biden administration’s opposition to EV mandates, citing a lack of consumer demand.
The Department of Energy reported that EVs had a median range of 234 miles, compared to 403 miles for 2021 gasoline-powered cars.
Stoller said a government mandate to use EVs would also be detrimental to Illinois corn growers.
“That could cause demand destruction in the liquid fuels market, and therefore could also impact ethanol use and demand destruction for corn,” Stotler said.
Stotler added that agricultural organizations want to be part of the push to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation fuels.
American fuel and petrochemical manufacturers are also pushing for the CARS Act.
“60% of Americans oppose the EPA’s de facto ban,” AFPM CEO Chet Thompson said in a statement. “Forcing the introduction of electric vehicles based on just one emissions category, effectively banning entire vehicle powertrains and fuels, is an illogical environmental policy, terrible for consumers, and in the national interest.” It also has a negative impact.”