President Biden wants half of cars sold in the US by 2030 to be zero-emission vehicles, the White House says. Achieving this would reduce carbon emissions and help the US compete with China, a statement said.

Transport accounted for 29% of US emissions in 2019. Sales of zero-emission vehicles in the US lag behind those in Europe and China. The three biggest US carmakers have welcomed the target, though it is not legally binding. The world has already warmed by about 1.2C since the industrial era began, and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions. Under President Trump the US loosened many environmental regulations and climate protections. Mr Biden is now working to convince the world the US is serious about tackling climate change.(BBC)…[+]