A fuel trade group is running false TV ads saying the EPA banned new gas cars

A fuel manufacturers trade group is airing TV ads in multiple states claiming the Environmental Protection Agency has banned new gas-powered vehicles.

The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers spent $7 million to air a package of ads in key battleground states, including Wisconsin, that claim “EPA regulators just banned most new gas-powered cars."

The 30-second ad references 2023 proposed federal vehicle emissions standards from the EPA that would set stricter tailpipe emissions for vehicles made between 2027 and 2032.

If implemented, the new standards would reduce the number of gas-emission vehicles, but it would not ban them as the group claims.

What is the EPA’s proposed emission rule?

In April 2023, the EPA proposed tailpipe emission limits produced by new light- and medium-duty vehicles as well as heavy-duty trucks.

It requires cars and trucks made between 2027 and 2032 to meet a fleetwide average tailpipe emissions standard of 82 grams per mile for light-duty cars.

This would represent almost a 50% reduction compared to current standards for passenger cars and light trucks for model years 2023 through 2026.

These rules, which are still in regulatory review, allow manufacturers to meet these targets by any means that are economically suitable for their business.

There is no ban on new or future gas-powered vehicles. However, the EPA said in a news release the standards are most effectively met through the production of electric vehicles, which have zero tailpipe emissions when running only on electricity.

What would happen to gas-powered vehicles if the new rule goes into effect?

If passed, the EPA rule would only apply to the production of vehicles starting in 2027 — it would not impact conventional gas-powered vehicles on the road now or the sale of used vehicles past that year.

To meet the new standards, manufacturers would likely accelerate the production of electric vehicles and decrease the production of gas vehicles, according to the EPA.

The rule wouldn’t impact car owners, but it might impact the types of new cars available for purchase after 2027.

When asked about the use of the word “ban” in its ads, Ericka Perryman, the group’s senior director of issue communications, argued the mass reduction in the availability of new gas cars is essentially a de facto ban.

“For consumers who are unable to find a new gas car or truck they can afford because of this policy, it’s the same as a ban on most new gas cars,” Perryman told PolitiFact Wisconsin.

The EPA projects electric vehicles will account for 67% of new car sales by 2032, with the remainder being gas-powered.

Our ruling

A fuel trade group is running ads in battleground election states that claim, “EPA regulators just banned most new gas-powered cars.”

But the EPA proposed regulation from last year would only reduce fleetwide emissions for cars and trucks, allowing for the continued production of gas cars.

While the regulation would likely greatly diminish the production of new gas-powered vehicles starting in 2027, it is not a ban on gas cars.

We rate the claim False.

Sources

YouTube, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, “Back Seat, Spring '24” April 2, 2024

DontBanOutCars.com, accessed April 9, 2024

Email exchange, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers Senior Director of Issue Communications Ericka Perryman, April 10, 2024

Environmental Protection Agency, “Biden-Harris Administration Proposes Strongest-Ever Pollution Standards for Cars and Trucks to Accelerate Transition to a Clean-Transportation Future,” April 12, 2023

AFPM, “AFPM launches seven-figure issue campaign spotlighting gas car ban policies across battleground states,” Feb. 12, 2024

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, “EO 12866,” accessed April 26, 2024Environmental Protection Agency, “Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles,” April 2023

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: TV ads claim the EPA just banned new gas-powered vehicles