A majority of Americans oppose President Biden’s and Democrats’ plans to phase out conventional gas-powered vehicles nationally by 2035.
The survey found that only 21% of Americans would be thrilled if the United States adopted a policy that would phase out gas-powered automobiles and trucks by the year 2035. Americans’ opposition to phasing out gas-powered automobiles has increased over the past two years; in April 2021, 51% will be against it, which is 8% less than they are currently.
Support for gradually phased-out gasoline-powered automobiles and trucks has decreased throughout this time among Democrats and Republicans alike, according to a Pew Research Centre survey.
The poll’s findings also revealed that Republicans are 84% against phasing out gas-powered vehicles by 2035, while Democrats are 64% in favour.
Additionally, it revealed that only 20% of Democrats would feel the same way about the programme, compared to 73% of Republicans. Comparatively, 37% of Democrats and 7% of Republicans, respectively, would be thrilled by a phase-down.
Additionally, there is a general lack of confidence among Americans that the country will be able to provide the required infrastructure to enable consumers’ quick conversion to electric automobiles. Only 17% of American adults are very or extremely certain that it is doable, compared to 30% who are only slightly confident and 53% who are not.
The study findings come as the Biden administration and several Democratic-led states continue to press for policies that encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and, in some cases, forbid the sale of gas-powered vehicles in the future.
Electric vehicles are the way of the future, according to truck and car manufacturers. The White House declared in April that the market was changing. President Biden, a self-described car enthusiast, is taking advantage of the opportunity.
The announcement followed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) most strident federal tailpipe emissions proposal yet.
By 2032, the White House predicted that a startling 67% of new car, crossover, SUV, and light truck purchases may be electric. Additionally, by that time, up to 50% of bus and garbage truck purchases, 35% of short-haul and 25% of long-haul freight tractor sales may beEVs.
Then, in August, the California Air Resources Board, a preeminent state environmental organisation, enacted legislation requiring that all cars purchased in the state, which leads the nation in yearly auto sales, be zero-emissions vehicles by 2035.
The mandate for electric vehicles would affect Americans nationwide because 17 states now have regulations in place that tie their vehicle emissions standards to those established in California. According to estimates, the states that will follow California’s 2035 regulation will account for more than 40% of all new automobile sales in the country.
According to a recent report from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, gas-powered vehicles will account for 93% of all new car sales in 2022. Additionally, EV continue to be much more expensive and inefficient than alternatives.
According to Kelley Blue Book, the average cost of an EV as of last year was $64,338 whereas the average cost of a small gas-powered car was $26,101. Additionally, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, model year 2021 gasoline vehicles had an average range of 403 miles, as opposed to the median 234 miles for model year 2021 EVs.