Bill Overview
Title: ZEVs Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a zero-emission passenger vehicle standard. Specifically, the bill sets a schedule for increasing the percentage of zero-emission vehicles a vehicle manufacturer delivers for sale, culminating in a requirement to sell only zero-emission vehicles from 2035 on. The bill also requires the EPA to establish a zero-emission vehicle credit program that approves one zero-emission vehicle credit for each zero-emission vehicle delivered for sale in the United States and partial credits for qualified electric vehicles based on the estimated proportion of the mileage driven on the battery. Manufacturers that fail to meet the minimum required percentage of zero-emission vehicle sales must submit to the EPA a quantity of zero-emission vehicle credits sufficient to offset the excess. Credits may also be sold, transferred, exchanged, or retired in certain circumstances. The bill imposes civil penalties for the failure to comply with zero-emission vehicle credit standards, with collected penalties being deposited into the Highway Trust Fund. After 2035, the EPA must issue injunctions on the manufacture of passenger vehicles other than zero-emission vehicles.
Sponsors: Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals worldwide affected by the transition to zero-emission vehicles
Estimated Size: 331000000
- By 2035, only zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) will be sold, influencing all potential new car buyers after this date.
- Current vehicle manufacturers will be impacted as they need to transition their production lines to produce only ZEVs by 2035.
- The legislation will create a demand shift towards ZEVs, impacting global automotive markets as most manufacturers serve international markets.
- Individuals relying on traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles will need to transition to ZEVs, especially after 2035.
- Post-implementation, maintenance and repair sectors may also shift focus from ICE vehicles to ZEV technology.
- Environmental impacts will be felt globally due to reduced emissions if ZEV adoption rates increase.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to increase the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), which is likely to have varying effects across different demographic groups.
- The cost of ZEVs is typically higher upfront, which may be burdensome for low-income families unless subsidies or incentives are provided.
- Urban residents might benefit more quickly from improved air quality due to reduced emissions, while rural areas may see slower impact due to longer vehicle turnover time.
- Manufacturers will face costs in retooling and innovation, but may benefit long-term from standardization and potential growth in ZEV markets.
- People relying on industries related to ICE vehicles may face transitional employment challenges unless there is support for job retraining.
- The policy has a significant environmental incentive, aiming to reduce emissions and combat climate change, which may increase overall societal wellbeing over time.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 13.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support the ZEVs Act because it aligns with my beliefs in sustainability and reducing emissions.
- Though I already drive an electric vehicle, I think the Act will motivate more innovation in the space.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Auto Manufacturing Worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 13.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While environmental concerns are important, I'm worried about my job.
- I hope there will be retraining programs available for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Freelance Graphic Designer (Houston, TX)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 13.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm interested in getting a zero-emission vehicle but worried about the availability of charging stations where I live.
- The bill's approach may encourage more investment in infrastructure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Marketing Specialist (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The ZEVs Act won't impact me much directly since I rely on public transport.
- I think this is good for the environment, and supporting public transit should be a priority too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Electrician (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 31 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 13.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems like it will expand my business opportunities.
- I look forward to more growth in the EV sector.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Retired Mechanic (Miami, FL)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm skeptical about how easy it will be for someone like me to adapt to this change.
- My skills lie with older vehicle models, and I'm too old to retrain.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Environmental Policy Analyst (Seattle, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 13.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The ZEVs Act is a win for environmental protection, and it's a step we've needed for a long time.
- I expect it will push other sectors to innovate in environmentally friendly directions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Farmer (Omaha, NE)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the importance but wonder how feasible ZEVs are for heavier farm equipment.
- Incentives will be needed to adjust machinery.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Tech Entrepreneur (Boston, MA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 13.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The ZEVs Act presents a notable market shift and growth opportunity for tech firms like mine.
- I'm optimistic about the role technology can play in supporting this transition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Graduate Student (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 13.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like the ZEVs Act make me excited to enter a field that's growing.
- I'm hopeful this will drive positive change for the environment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $650000000)
Year 2: $520000000 (Low: $365000000, High: $680000000)
Year 3: $540000000 (Low: $380000000, High: $710000000)
Year 5: $580000000 (Low: $410000000, High: $760000000)
Year 10: $650000000 (Low: $460000000, High: $860000000)
Year 100: $1000000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $1300000000)
Key Considerations
- This policy will require significant infrastructure investment, particularly in charging networks, to support increased ZEV adoption.
- The transition could disrupt existing automotive labor markets, leading to potential job losses in certain segments.
- The policy could initiate a rapid technological shift, with potential implications for associated industries such as commodities used in battery manufacturing.