Military experts have raised national security concerns about the Biden administration's electric vehicle plans, warning that the president's ambitious policies could make the United States overly dependent on China.
A coalition of 17 military veterans, including retired Navy Capt. Bob “Shoebo” Carey, sent a letter to President Biden and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week calling regulatory efforts aimed at promoting EV adoption “a political intervention.” “This increases the vulnerability of the United States to It's by the Chinese Communist Party. ”
Carey told America's Newsroom on Friday that this aggressive push is “fundamentally wrong” and makes the United States dependent on its “greatest potential enemy.”
“To make these electric cars work the way we need them, we need lithium, gallium, and a lot of other rare earth minerals that we don't have and can't process. We're going to get that flow under control so we can get these vehicles on the road,” Carey said.
House joins Senate to strike down Biden EV charger rule protecting Chinese companies
A BMW electric vehicle is parked at a Volta EV charging station on July 28, 2023 in California. (Justin Sullivan)
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), China is about Lithium-ion batteries, the main component of EVs, account for 75% of the world's demand. The country also boasts 70% of the production capacity of positive electrodes and 85% of the production capacity of negative electrodes, two important parts of such batteries.
The letter specifically took issue with EPA's April 2023 proposal. The most stringent tailpipe emission regulations What has ever been made. Once finalized and implemented, it will cover a staggering 67% of new sedans, crossovers, SUVs, and light trucks. Up to 50% for buses and garbage trucks. 35% of short-haul cargo tractors. The EPA predicted that by 2032, 25% of long-haul cargo tractor purchases could be electric.
The White House said at the time that raising emissions standards for gasoline-powered vehicles would indirectly encourage vehicle emissions. Introduction of zero-emission vehicles and provide a “clear path to continued growth in EV sales.” Biden previously set a goal of making 50% of car purchases electric by 2030.
“We cannot make this transition by eliminating fossil fuel vehicles and internal combustion engines. And the way this regulation is proceeding is by limiting tailpipe emissions. , it doesn't satisfy us that it's no longer possible to deal with electric cars while getting rid of the internal combustion engine,'' Carey explained.
The former captain noted that while the coalition is not opposed to electric vehicles becoming part of the fabric of the United States, the concern is with the speed at which the Biden administration wants to introduce electric vehicles into society.
“There is no doubt that EVs will play an important role in diversifying the U.S. transportation system. “We believe that this will be a matter of urgency,” the letter states.
Carey said the purpose of the letter is to raise awareness of “how bad this regulation is” and put public pressure on the EPA.
“The public is saying we have a solution that seeks to solve a problem that doesn't exist right now, but we're going to create an even bigger problem and make it even more expensive for Americans and many others to drive.” It will be lower. [the EPA] You might start listening. ”
The EPA did not respond to requests for comment from America's Newsroom or Fox News Digital.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
FOX News' Thomas Catenacci contributed to this report.
