The federal government, and even some automakers, seemed poised to nudge the country toward a future of electric vehicles. But the American preference for large trucks will be an obstacle to those plans.
"After four years of bitter fighting, California and the federal government agree they need to set ambitious climate goals, and major automakers are increasingly betting that the future of their business lies with electric cars," reports Anna M. Phillips.
The discussion follows a groundbreaking executive order signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2020 committing the largest state in the nation to end sales of new gasoline powered cars by 2035.
Trends in the automotive market of recent years have been moving the needle the other direction, according to Phillips, as more Americans are increasingly buying larger SUVs and pickup trucks. An analysis published in January 2021 shows the market shift to SUVs and pickups has overwhelmed the potential carbon reductions from EV use. Some automakers have signaled a willingness to change direction. General Motors, for example, recently announced ambitions to achieve carbon neutrality in its fleet and its operations by 2040.
Other studies have also shown that switching to electric vehicles won't entirely remove emissions and pollution from private transportation in the United States.
The dilemma facing the Biden administration is how to calibrate electric vehicle policies relative to market preferences for larger, gas-powered vehicles. "This divide between the reality of America’s auto market and what the federal government and some automakers hope it will become is certain to create dilemmas for the Biden administration as it sets out to negotiate a new set of fuel-economy standards," writes Phillips.
The article includes a specific list of policy efforts the Biden might undertake to begin removing greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. transportation sector, much of which will be devoted to undoing the deregulatory efforts of the Trump administration.
FULL STORY: Biden’s auto dilemma: How hard to push for electric cars?
Study: D.C. Region Must Take Aggressive Steps To Reach Climate Goal
To achieve its stated emissions reduction goal, the Greater Washington area must sharply reduce driving and speed up the adoption of electric vehicles.
Biden Commits Federal Government to Carbon Neutrality
President Biden signed an executive order on Wednesday that aims to cut 65 percent of the government's carbon emissions by the end of this decade and reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
Decarbonizing Transportation at the Federal Level
A new report shows that long-term federal investments in electric vehicles could promote significant growth in the sector as the nation moves toward reducing GHG emissions.
Planning for Congestion Relief
The third and final installment of Planetizen's examination of the role of the planning profession in both perpetuating and solving traffic congestion.
Minneapolis Housing Plan a Success—Not for the Reason You Think
Housing advocates praise the city’s move to eliminate single-family zoning by legalizing triplexes on single-family lots, but that isn’t why housing construction is growing.
New White House Housing Initiative Includes Zoning Reform Incentives
The Biden administration this morning released a new program of actions intended to spur housing construction around the United States.
Proposed Transit Line Would Connect Downtown Tucson to Airport
Based on community input for a 15-mile transit line, residents want to see a focus on affordable housing development and anti-displacement measures.
Strip Malls as a Housing Solution
The American strip mall may be a dying breed of commercial development, but could the buildings serve a new use as sustainable housing?
Study: Most of Vancouver Is a ‘15-Minute City’
A large majority of Vancouver residents can access a grocery store in 15 minutes or less by bicycle or on foot.
Urban Planning Partners
Sandy City
Ada County Highway District
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Redwood City
City of Rohnert Park
City of Hot Springs
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
