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"We're committed to ensuring that our vehicles are safe and

Dec. 14, 2018 by Katherine Berry

"We're committed to ensuring that our vehicles are safe and get a good deal for us," the EPA said in its written statement, issued on Tuesday. "Our goal is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that continue to threaten our environment by 2050, at an average annual emission of 1.3 metric tons of CO2. We will work with industry partners on the same goal and will work with stakeholders to ensure that our vehicles are safe and affordable on the road for our customers."

GM's statement said the ZEV program would "help our suppliers avoid the costs and delays that accompany the introduction of new vehicles that reduce their emissions."

A senior EPA official said the agency was "aware of the need for a zero-emission vehicle program. We work with the federal government to develop the legislation that ultimately will define a transition to zero-emissions in the future and are currently reviewing it."

The EPA's Office of Management and Budget says that Trump's new rules will allow for zero-emission vehicles, which could allow automakers to get a better deal on prices for their vehicles.

"It's clear that this administration is determined to increase the cost of electric vehicles, and the Department of Energy is committed to working with our customers and stakeholders to ensure all vehicles meet the standards outlined in the EPA's regulations," said Gary Neely, the head of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Economic and Regulatory Affairs. "The U.S. is the world leader in energy efficiency in all of its forms, and this new federal regulation will deliver better and more affordable energy choices for consumers."

In 2015, the EPA allowed for the deployment of the ZEV program in the United States, making the program a non-issue, as it was previously considered an issue for electric cars. The EPA also allowed for a transition period in the early 2020s for vehicles that are equipped with the ZEV program.

A spokesperson for Trump's transition team confirmed he will be in talks with the automaker in his first week in office. In an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek last week, the chief of staff for Trump's pick for Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross, said he was "very interested" in the issue, and that Ross wants to take the ZEV program "very seriously."

"In the short term, the ZEV program would help us meet our goals, which are to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, improve fuel economy, and meet our Clean Power Plan."