The EPA has quietly removed its Scope 3 emissions guidance from its website, leaving automakers without the federal template they used to measure indirect emissions across supply chains and vehicle use. Scope 3 accounts for over 90% of an automaker's total emissions, with tailpipe use the dominant share. The removal does not change the underlying reporting requirements in California, where SB 253 still requires major companies to report Scope 3 under GHG Protocol standards beginning in 2027. The same day, The Auto Wire covered the recycled carbon fiber market, which is forecast to grow from $34.1 billion in 2026 to $61.5 billion by 2033. BMW dropped carbon fiber from the new i3 in favor of recycled aluminum and steel, citing the short, weak fibers that recycled carbon fiber produces. The material works for trim, not structure, making conventional metals the more practical choice for mass-market EV bodywork. For automakers and suppliers, the practical takeaway is that emissions data demands are not going away. The federal playbook is gone, but investor expectations, state procurement rules, and California law still require the same numbers. Companies that pause Scope 3 measurement now will face a harder reporting cycle when the 2027 deadline arrives.
