Federal vehicle rules challenged
New federal rules effectively mandating increased electric vehicle production are arbitrary, capricious, and not in accordance with the law, according to lawsuits filed in June by the National Corn Growers Association and others. The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA), along with 12 other state corn grower associations, the Clean Fuels Development Coalition, ICM Inc., and the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, filed a similar petition in the D.C. circuit challenging the final standards.
This past spring, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized emissions standards for 2027-32 that require a majority of the U.S. light- and medium-duty vehicle fleet to be electric in less than a decade. A separate set of standards requires a significant proportion of work trucks, long-haul tractors, and semi-trucks to have zero emissions by 2032.
Meanwhile, in June, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized new fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks for 2027-31 and for heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans for 2030-35. NCGA, MCGA, and others previously noted that NHTSA used a faulty methodology to set the standards, basing them in part on how much electric vehicles can increase fleetwide fuel efficiency. Under federal rules, NHTSA can only set standards based on how much automakers can practically increase the collective fuel economy of their gas-powered vehicles.
NCGA President Harold Wolle said the vehicle emissions and fuel economy standards ignore the proven benefits of corn ethanol in combating climate change, noting that ethanol is an effective climate solution that’s available now.
“Ethanol is not only critical in the climate fight, but it also saves consumers money at the pump while benefiting America’s rural economies,” he said.
MCGA President Dana Allen-Tully said ethanol blends offer optimal convenience and affordability while providing an immediate and practical alternative to achieving meaningful greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
“The federal government should embrace a suite of technologies to reduce emissions, including proven and reliable solutions like ethanol, instead of relying on a one-size-fits-all approach,” Allen-Tully said. “We are disappointed the EPA did not take this type of technology-neutral approach when setting its vehicle emissions standards and are hopeful our lawsuit will lead to a more workable solution.”
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said the EPA’s emissions standards are unrealistic, will drive up the cost of farm vehicles and force farmers to rely on a charging network that does not yet exist in rural areas.
He also noted that heavy-duty vehicles powered by batteries have short ranges and require hours to charge. That will put the health and safety of drivers and livestock at risk if they need to stop for long periods of time.
