Trump to reverse Biden's fuel efficiency standards for vehicles

The Trump administration is taking steps to roll back fuel economy standards for cars and trucks, marking a significant shift from policies enacted under President Biden. This move is expected to draw criticism from environmental advocates and could lead to higher fuel expenses for motorists.

Efforts to scale back regulations targeting low-emission vehicles have been ongoing among Republican lawmakers, including the rollback of tailpipe emissions rules and the removal of tax incentives for electric cars. Now, the Department of Transportation intends to reduce the annual fuel efficiency improvement mandate from 2%established during the Biden administrationto just 0.5%.

Officials argue that this adjustment will lower the upfront cost of new vehicles. However, drivers may face increased spending at the pump, as prior analyses suggested that stricter fuel standards could save the average driver approximately $600 in fuel over a vehicle's lifespan.

Automakers have generally welcomed the reduction in requirements and plan to continue investing in electric vehicles. At the same time, the eased standards will make it simpler for manufacturers to continue prioritizing SUVs and trucks, which tend to offer higher profits.

Author: Olivia Parker