Trump Rolls Back Fuel Economy Standards, Boosting Emissions and Car Costs

President Donald Trump this week announced a rollback of fuel economy standards for cars, undoing one of President Joe Biden's signature climate policies. The proposal would weaken emissions regulations for cars and light trucks that would otherwise encourage carmakers to produce more electric vehicles. According to the White House, the Biden-era regulations would raise the cost of a new car by $1,000, and the repeal would save car owners $109 billion over the next five years. Trump has long been critical of environmental regulations, arguing that they make products more expensive and less efficient. "Environmental regulations that attempt to improve efficiency and address climate change only make products more expensive and make them perform worse," Trump said in a statement. However, environmental groups and some lawmakers have expressed concern that the rollback will exacerbate climate change and increase air pollution. "This is a devastating blow to our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to cleaner transportation," said a spokesperson for the Sierra Club, a leading environmental advocacy group. "We urge the administration to reconsider this reckless decision and work towards a cleaner, healthier future for all Americans." The rollback is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to roll back environmental regulations. In 2019, the administration announced a plan to weaken emissions standards for cars and light trucks, which was met with opposition from environmental groups and some lawmakers. The Biden administration had since implemented stricter emissions standards, which the Trump administration is now seeking to undo. The proposal is likely to face opposition from lawmakers and environmental groups, who argue that it will increase air pollution and exacerbate climate change. "This is a step backward for our country's efforts to address climate change and improve air quality," said a spokesperson for the Environmental Defense Fund. "We urge the administration to reconsider this decision and work towards a cleaner, healthier future for all Americans." The rollback is expected to face a lengthy review process, including public comment periods and potential litigation. The proposal is currently under review at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is expected to issue a final rule in the coming months.