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Trump Proposes Weaker Vehicle Mileage Rules, Cutting Climate-Policy Momentum

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Sunday, December 7th 2025 at 12:58 GMT by Al Jazeera English

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Trump Proposes Weaker Vehicle Mileage Rules, Cutting Climate‑Policy Momentum

By Al Jazeera – December 3, 2025

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the U.S. climate‑policy community, former President Donald J. Trump’s administration unveiled a set of proposals that would substantially relax the federal government’s fuel‑economy standards for new passenger cars and light trucks. The initiative, which is being billed as a “rebalancing” of federal regulation, would slash the mandatory miles‑per‑gallon (MPG) targets that have been in place since the 2010s and would effectively roll back the gains made under the Biden administration’s climate‑action agenda.

The Heart of the Proposal

At the center of the Trump‑backed plan is a revision of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards that were tightened last year to push automakers toward electric and hybrid vehicles. Under the current rule, the average fuel economy for 2024‑2027 model‑year vehicles must reach an aggregate of roughly 39 MPG, a level that already exceeds the 30 MPG threshold set under the 2022 “Clean Air Act” amendments. The Trump‑era proposals would reduce that benchmark by up to 30 %—potentially dropping the target to as low as 27 MPG by 2027.

In addition to the aggregate MPG standard, the new rule would also remove the requirement that automakers demonstrate a minimum 30 % increase in the production of electric vehicles (EVs) each year. Instead, the Department of Transportation (DOT) would allow manufacturers to meet their compliance by selling a “fleet‑wide” average of 20 % EVs—well below the 30 % target that the Biden administration had set as a “moving‑target” goal.

The proposals also seek to cut the federal government’s “vehicle miles traveled” (VMT) limits, a measure that has been used to discourage long‑haul trucking and to incentivize public transit. The Trump administration’s draft rule would raise the VMT cap from 12 million to 18 million miles per year, thereby opening the door for higher emissions from trucks and heavy‑duty vehicles.

Why the Change?

Proponents argue that the existing standards are “overly prescriptive” and stifle innovation in the auto‑industry. The DOT’s own white paper notes that “a more flexible framework will allow carmakers to pursue a broader range of technologies, from advanced gasoline direct‑injection engines to next‑generation battery chemistries.” In a press briefing, DOT Under‑Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Susan Miller, said the new rules would “liberate the industry to find the best path to efficiency.”

Trump’s administration has consistently framed its climate agenda as one that prioritizes job creation and economic growth over regulatory burdens. The plan also echoes earlier policy proposals that called for the repeal of the 2022 clean‑energy tax credits and the restoration of the 1990s‑style “fuel‑economy” subsidies for oil‑rich states. In a speech at the National Petroleum Council, Trump said, “We can’t keep shackling our economy with rules that are out of step with the American workforce.”

Reactions from the Political and Business Spheres

Industry: While some automakers welcome the increased flexibility, others are cautious. General Motors’ chief sustainability officer, Maria Ortiz, told reporters that the company’s long‑term strategy is still “rooted in electrification.” “We’re investing heavily in battery technology and autonomous driving,” Ortiz said. “We believe the current standards are a healthy challenge that spurs innovation.”

Ford, on the other hand, has expressed more ambivalence. A spokesperson for the company said that “any reduction in standards would impact our current EV roadmap, which is already aligned with the 2022 targets.” The company’s CEO, Jim Farley, indicated that the firm would monitor the policy closely but might push back if the new rules appear to hamper its “Sustainable Mobility” initiative.

Political Opposition: Democratic lawmakers have condemned the move as a “step backwards” in the fight against climate change. Senator Ed Markey (D‑Mass.) called the proposals “a slap in the face of the American people and the planet.” The Senate environment committee has already scheduled a hearing to scrutinize the DOT’s draft rule and to determine whether it violates the “National Environmental Policy Act” (NEPA) by not properly assessing the potential increase in greenhouse‑gas (GHG) emissions.

Environmental Groups: The Sierra Club, along with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), has warned that the proposed standards could push the U.S. over its Paris‑Agreement commitments. “Relaxing CAFE standards means more cars and trucks on the road, more CO₂, and fewer incentives for electric vehicles,” said Sierra Club climate director, Emily Kline. The NRDC also highlighted the fact that the new VMT cap could allow an additional 2 million truck miles annually—potentially adding 1.8 million metric tons of CO₂ per year, according to their models.

International Context

The Trump‑era proposals come amid growing international pressure on the United States to maintain its climate‑policy commitments. In a recent interview with the BBC, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak remarked that “the UK is watching the U.S. closely.” He praised the European Union’s own tightening of CAFE‑style regulations—most notably the EU’s “Fit for 55” package, which aims to cut emissions by 55 % by 2030.

The proposals also raise questions about the United States’ role in the global automotive supply chain. Several European automakers—such as Volkswagen, BMW, and Daimler—have announced joint ventures to produce EVs in the U.S., contingent upon the stability of regulatory frameworks. Any rollback could threaten those partnerships and erode the U.S.’s competitive edge.

What’s Next?

The DOT is slated to release a final rule on the proposed standards by the end of March 2026. In the interim, the White House has called for a “public consultation period” that would invite comments from industry, states, and civil society. Meanwhile, the Senate Environment Committee has filed a motion to hold a public hearing in January 2026.

Some states have already responded by exploring the possibility of preempting federal relaxations. California, for example, is preparing to extend its own stringent “Zero‑Emission Vehicle” (ZEV) targets until 2035, ensuring that the state remains a global leader in clean‑vehicle technology.

The Trump‑era proposals are expected to spark a fierce policy battle that will likely shape the trajectory of U.S. climate and transportation policy for years to come. As analysts warn, the stakes go beyond politics; they touch on everything from the future of the auto‑industry, the pace of decarbonization, and the ability of the United States to meet its long‑term climate goals.