Trump Slams Brakes on Green Car Progress: 50 MPG Goal Gone!
President Donald Trump is set to propose a significant rollback of vehicle mileage rules, loosening requirements for automakers to control pollution from gasoline-powered cars and trucks. This move would weaken fuel economy standards through the 2031 model year, reversing earlier Biden administration policies aimed at encouraging cleaner vehicles and electric car adoption. While major U.S. automakers are praising the changes, environmental groups warn the decision will exacerbate global warming and hinder the nation's progress in green technology. The weakening of these regulations stands to impact everything from air quality to consumer choice in the automotive market, making the climate crisis more urgent.
President Donald Trump is expected to announce plans to significantly weaken vehicle mileage rules for the auto industry, reducing the pressure on carmakers to build cleaner gasoline vehicles. The proposed changes would lower fuel economy requirements for models through 2031, effectively rolling back policies put in place by the previous administration that aimed to push for more fuel-efficient cars and greater adoption of electric vehicles. This move is presented as a way to give Americans more access to gasoline vehicles, but experts warn it has serious consequences for our environment.
The Biden administration had set targets requiring passenger cars to average around 50 miles per gallon by 2031, a significant increase from today's roughly 39 mpg. They also sought yearly efficiency increases and stricter tailpipe emission rules to encourage electric vehicle sales. However, Trump's new proposal, following previous actions like relaxing emission standards and ending EV purchase credits, signals a clear shift away from these environmental goals, making the fight against climate change even harder.
Automakers like Ford and Stellantis have voiced support for the planned changes, with Ford CEO Jim Farley calling it “a win for customers and common sense” that aligns with “market realities.” Yet, environmental groups are sounding the alarm. Dan Becker from the Center for Biological Diversity stated the decision “is worsening three of our nation’s most vexing problems: the thirst for oil, high gas pump costs and global warming.” He adds that it could hurt America's competitiveness in the global green technology race against countries like China.
While Trump has often incorrectly referred to a federal “mandate” for electric vehicles, policies from the Biden era focused on targets and incentives. For example, under Biden, automakers were required to average about 50 miles per gallon of gas for passenger cars by 2031. This rollback not only impacts the air we breathe and our wallets at the gas pump but also sends a concerning message about the urgency of addressing climate change through cleaner transportation, making this a pivotal moment for our planet's future.