MEMA said it and its members support the objectives of the EPA to improve national air quality through improvements to light- and medium-duty vehicles and applauded the agency for adopting improvements advocated by MEMA. MEMA welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule for Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and later light-duty and medium-duty vehicles, released March 20.

MEMA said the EPA final rule includes an amended and more comprehensive analysis of technological alternatives, such as plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) and additional technologies—an enhancement MEMA strongly urged the EPA to undertake.

Consequently, alternatives including hybrid gas/electric and other technologies can serve as viable options within the market mix used to meet overall requirements in the national fleet, MEMA said.

MEMA said it believes that EPA’s selection of Alternative Three will facilitate a more gradual, steady implementation of the stated emissions requirements. According to MEMA, this approach will provide global supply chains greater flexibility to adapt to the regulations while reorienting to meet market demands and restructuring needs.

The revised analyses also updated and expanded examinations and impacts relating to national infrastructure needs and achievements and the balance that must be struck in pushing for more electrification than may be possible in the near term, MEMA said. It will review the final regulation as it becomes available and confer with MEMA member companies.