The Biden administration announced new automobile emissions standards Wednesday that officials said were the most ambitious ever to reduce carbon emissions from passenger vehicles.The new rules relax the initial tailpipe limits that were proposed last year, but they'll eventually approach the same strict standards laid out by the Environmental Protection Agency.The rules come as sales of electric vehicles, which are needed to meet the standards, have begun to slow.
'Let me be clear: Our final rule delivers the same, if not more, pollution reduction than we set out in our proposal,'' EPA Administrator Michael Regan told reporters. In addition to carbon pollution, the final standards also will reduce other serious air pollution that contributes to heart attacks, respiratory illnesses, aggravated asthma and decreased lung function, Regan said.