Trump Administration Proposes Weaker Vehicle Mileage Rules, Reversing Biden-Era Standards
Trump administration proposes weaker vehicle mileage rules, setting 34.5 MPG by 2031, reversing Biden-era 50 MPG standards, citing consumer and automaker savings.
Overview
- The Trump administration proposes rolling back federal fuel economy standards, setting the industry average for light-duty vehicles at 34.5 MPG by 2031, a reversal from Biden's 50 MPG target.
- This move aims to reduce automaker costs, projected to save American families $109 billion over five years and at least $1,000 on a new car.
- Executives from Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis attended the announcement, supporting the reversal of Biden-era fuel standards.
- The administration cites legal overreach and aims to reduce dependence on foreign oil and combat pollution as reasons for rolling back the rules.
- Transportation, primarily from burning petrol, is the largest contributor to US greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for over 28% of total emissions in 2022.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the story neutrally by presenting a balanced account of the Trump administration's proposal to roll back fuel efficiency standards. They detail the proposed changes, the administration's stated rationale, and the auto industry's support, while also providing context on the previous Biden-era rules and including criticisms from environmental groups and expert analysis on potential impacts.
"The rollback would move the auto industry backwards, keeping polluting cars on our roads for years to come and threatening the health of millions of Americans, particularly children and the elderly."
BBC News"The proposal is projected to save American families $1,000 on the average cost of a new vehicle and a total of $109 billion over the next five years."
CBS News"The proposed change "will also revive the beating heart of American manufacturing and unshackle the nation’s automotive industry," the department and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said."
NBC News"The proposed rules, which would affect 2022-2031 model-year vehicles, are set to make it much easier for automakers to refocus on selling gas guzzlers that deeply alarm environmentalists and climate change activists."
Gizmodo"The Trump administration has started the process of dramatically easing fuel economy requirements for new vehicles, part of the administration's broader pivot away from cleaner cars."
NPR"The regulatory move is likely intended to serve as a hurdle for future administrations to bring them back."
TechCrunch"Trump has taken a series of steps to make it easier for automakers to sell gasoline-powered vehicles and disincentivize EV production, including rescinding EV tax credits and barring California from banning the sale of traditional gas-powered vehicles after 2035."
USA TODAY"The move would be the latest action by the Trump administration to reverse Biden-era policies that encouraged cleaner-running cars and trucks, including electric vehicles."
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FAQ
The Trump administration set a new industry average fuel economy target of 34.5 miles per gallon (MPG) for light-duty vehicles by 2031, reversing the Biden-era goal of approximately 50 MPG for passenger cars by the same year.
The administration argues that Biden's standards were unrealistic, imposed excessive costs on automakers and consumers, and amounted to an electric vehicle mandate. They claim the new rules will save families money, reduce legal overreach, and allow automakers to meet standards with conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles.
The Trump administration projects that the new standards will save American families $109 billion over five years and reduce the average cost of a new car by about $1,000 compared to the Biden-era standards.
Environmental groups argue that the rollback will worsen oil dependence, increase gas costs, and accelerate climate change. Critics say it undermines progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and consumer fuel savings.
The rollback reduces pressure on automakers to shift to electric vehicles and terminates consumer tax credits of up to $7,500 for EV purchases, which were part of Biden's policies to encourage EV adoption.
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