The Biden Administration, through the US Environmental Protection Agency, issued new tailpipe pollution standards on Wednesday for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles beginning in 2027.

While the new standards are the strictest ever for automakers and are expected to significantly reduce pollution from vehicles, however, the start date for the tougher restrictions is actually pushing the deadline back by three years.

The announcement comes after slower-than-expected sales of electric vehicles as the big three shifted gears in recent years to focus on switching from gasoline to electric vehicles, which the batteries for the Cadillac Lyriq, Cruise Origin, GMC Hummer EV, Chevy Silverado EV, and the GMC Sierra EV are built at Lordstown's Ultium Cells facility.

While EV sales are increasing, sales are slower than projected for people switching to emission-free vehicles. 

In 2023, the EV share of the total U.S. vehicle market was 7.6 percent according to Kelley Blue Book estimate, up from 5.9 percent in 2022.

According to the EPA, the new standards will reduce carbon emissions by 7 billion tons and provide nearly $100 billion of annual net benefits to society, including improved air quality, reduced annual fuel costs, and maintenance and repair costs for drivers.

In a statement issued by President Biden read “Today, we’re setting new pollution standards for cars and trucks. US workers will lead the world on autos making clean cars and trucks, each stamped ‘Made in America.’ You have my word."

United Automobile Workers union also issued a statement that said, "The EPA has made significant progress on its final greenhouse gas emissions rule for light-duty vehicles. By taking seriously the concerns of workers and communities, the EPA has come a long way to create a more feasible emissions rule that protects workers building ICE vehicles while providing a path forward for automakers to implement the full range of automotive technologies to reduce emissions."