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The Biden administration has launched a new proposal to restrict the use of gas-powered vehicles, leaving motorists distraught and facing a significant financial burden. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have announced new fuel economy standards that aim to reduce the nation’s dependence on fossil fuel energy sources and ruin the lives of hard-working Americans.

The proposed standards indicate a progressive increase in fuel economy regulations, which will leave drivers struggling to manage their finances. The proposed standards would require lightweight automobile passenger cars to increase fuel economy at a rate of 2 percent per year and the rate would increase to 4 percent per year for light trucks. Sadly, the burden will be on heavy-duty pickup truck and van drivers, who will see a whopping 10 percent increase per year.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has boasted about the benefits of the new proposal, stating that “better vehicle fuel efficiency means more money in Americans’ pockets and stronger energy security for the entire nation.” However, this is nothing but a false promise, as these regulations will undoubtedly result in a stifling financial burden for American vehicle owners.

The NHTSA predicts that, by 2032, the proposed standards would require a fleet-wide average of approximately 58 miles per gallon (mpg) for passenger cars and light trucks, rendering most regular gas-powered cars useless and unaffordable. Heavy-duty pickups and vans will bear the brunt of these regulations, with the fleet-wide average predicted to be approximately 2.6 gallons per 100 miles by 2038.

The proposed standards are expected to reduce average fuel expenditure over the lifetimes of passenger cars and light trucks by $1,043 and of heavy-duty pickups and vans by a mere $439. This move will result in anguish and economic peril for Americans at a time when they are already struggling to stay afloat.

The Biden administration has been highly vocal about its aim to have half of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. be electric by 2030, which will further burden regular Americans with unaffordable electric vehicles.

The new proposal, if implemented, is set to face opposition from automakers and other industry groups who argue that the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) should be market-driven. The Biden administration has ignored these legitimate concerns and insists that government action is necessary to accelerate the shift towards EVs and meet climate goals.

The proposal is expected to undergo a period of review before it can be finalized, but the NHTSA will hold a virtual public hearing during the public comment period to gather feedback on the proposal. The proposal is a significant attack on the wallets of hard-working Americans and threatens their way of life.