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Trump Pushes to Weaken Federal Vehicle Mileage Standards, Facing Environmental Backlash

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  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. age-standards-facing-environmental-backlash.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 19:43 GMT by East Bay Times

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Trump Announces Push to Weaken Vehicle Mileage Rules That Limit Air Pollution

In a move that has already drawn fire from environmental groups, lawmakers, and many automakers, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that his administration will pursue a major rollback of federal vehicle mileage standards. The plan, formally titled the “America First Vehicle Efficiency Initiative,” seeks to relax the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements that have, since the 1970s, set a minimum average miles‑per‑gallon (mpg) that every new car and truck sold in the United States must achieve. The policy change would directly undermine a decade‑long effort to curb tailpipe emissions and protect air quality.

A Brief History of CAFE and the “Mile‑Limit” Rules

The CAFE program, enacted in 1975, was designed to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and lower greenhouse‑gas emissions by mandating that automakers meet fuel‑efficiency benchmarks. In the 2000s and 2010s, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tightened these standards, especially for light‑truck vehicles—pickup trucks and SUVs—which had long lagged behind cars in fuel economy. In 2017, under the Trump administration, the EPA rolled back the 2025 CAFE standards for all vehicles, citing “consumer choice” and “manufacturing costs” as reasons for the rollback. That decision sparked legal battles that have continued into 2025.

The current proposal, however, goes far beyond a simple rollback. Trump’s officials say the plan will:

1. Lower the 2025 and 2026 minimum fuel‑economy targets for light‑truck vehicles from 30–32 mpg to a new floor of 25 mpg.
2. Introduce a “state‑wide exemption” that allows individual states to set their own mileage thresholds, thereby effectively dismantling the federal uniform standard.
3. Reclassify certain “commercial” trucks—including delivery vans and light‑commercial vehicles—under a looser efficiency category.
4. Eliminate a portion of the EPA’s greenhouse‑gas emissions cap that is tied to CAFE compliance, thereby loosening the link between fuel economy and carbon‑dioxide output.

The proposal would be issued as a final rule under the EPA’s “Administrative Procedure Act” framework, following a two‑month public comment period. Trump’s spokesman said the new rule would be finalized by the end of the year.

Projected Impact on Emissions and Air Quality

If adopted, the rule could add an estimated 10–12 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually by 2035, according to an EPA study cited in the Trump administration’s draft. Moreover, the reduction in average miles per gallon would likely increase nitrogen‑oxide and particulate‑matter emissions by 15–20 %, posing a significant risk to public health—particularly in urban areas where air‑quality standards are already strained.

The Air Pollution Action Network (APAN), a coalition of local air‑quality agencies, estimates that the rule could increase asthma hospitalizations by 3 % in major metropolitan markets. “The science is clear: tighter fuel‑economy standards have led to measurable health benefits,” said APAN’s director, Dr. Maya Ramirez. “This proposed rollback reverses that progress and could cost thousands of lives.”

Opposition and Legal Challenges

Environmental advocates have called the move a “step backward” for climate policy. The Sierra Club, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the American Lung Association have all released joint statements urging the EPA to abandon the proposal. “The CAFE standards are not a luxury; they are a necessity to combat climate change and protect public health,” said Sierra Club spokesperson John Patel.

Automakers are split on the issue. While the Association of the Automotive Industry (AAI) has expressed support for a “more balanced” approach that considers consumer demand, the major manufacturers—Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis—have collectively warned that relaxed standards would slow the industry’s shift toward electrification. A letter from the American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) highlighted that a 5‑mpg rollback would “delay the 2026 electrification targets set by the Clean Air Act” and put U.S. auto companies at a competitive disadvantage abroad.

Politically, the rule has already sparked a flurry of activity in Washington. In the House, Representative Katherine “Kathy” Simmons (D‑CA) introduced a bipartisan amendment to the “Clean Air Act Restoration Act,” aiming to preserve the 2025 and 2026 CAFE targets. The amendment has 22 cosponsors and is slated for debate in the next congressional session. In the Senate, Senator Tom Brooks (R‑FL) has promised to file a lawsuit challenging the rule as a violation of the “National Environmental Policy Act” (NEPA), which requires agencies to evaluate the environmental impacts of regulatory actions.

Administrative Context and Legal Basis

The Trump administration has built a track record of scaling back federal environmental mandates, citing the “economic burden” on businesses. The new rule, according to the EPA’s preliminary justification, is grounded in a “cost‑benefit analysis” that projects a net economic benefit of $3.4 billion over the next decade due to lower fuel costs for consumers. Critics, however, argue that the analysis is flawed and fails to account for the long‑term health costs associated with increased emissions.

In a press conference, EPA Administrator James McCarthy defended the proposed rollback. “Our goal is to return to a market‑driven approach to vehicle design,” he said. “We’re not eliminating the CAFE standards; we’re simply ensuring they reflect realistic industry capabilities and consumer preferences.” The administration has also pointed to a “state‑led” approach as a “better method” for addressing regional differences in fuel consumption.

Next Steps

The final rule will be released after a 60‑day public comment period, giving stakeholders a chance to submit data and concerns. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has convened a “Vehicle Efficiency Task Force” composed of industry leaders and policymakers to oversee implementation. The task force is expected to report back to the President in early 2026 with recommendations for the next set of standards.

With the rule still in its draft stage, the debate over the United States’ vehicle mileage regulations is far from over. Whether the administration will ultimately roll back the standards—or whether Congress and the courts will intervene—remains to be seen. What is clear is that the proposed changes represent a fundamental shift in the nation’s approach to balancing economic growth, consumer choice, and the urgent need to reduce air pollution.