The federal emissions standards first put in place by President Barack Obama may now be reinstituted under his then-vice president and now President Joe Biden, Kallanish learns from an executive order signed 20 January. 

The order directs federal agencies to review and review all actions on the climate change front taken by the administration of President Donald Trump, making changes where necessary. 

“Our nation has an abiding commitment to empower our workers and communities; promote and protect our public health and the environment; and conserve our national treasures and monuments, places that secure our national memory,” the order reads. “Where the federal government has failed to meet that commitment in the past, it must advance environmental justice.”

The order specifically calls out the Trump administration’s loosening of the Obama-era fleet emission stands. Under President Trump, the emission reduction rate was reduced to 1.5% per year from the 5% year President Obama required. 

“In considering whether to propose suspending, revising, or rescinding the latter rule, the agency should consider the views of representatives from labor unions, states, and industry,” President Biden writes. 

On the campaign trail, Biden called for 500,000 new EV charging stations to be built during his tenure. He also appointed pro-EV officials as the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Transportation - Jennifer Granholm and Pete Buttigieg, respectively.