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Trump Administration Proposes Rollback of Vehicle Mileage Standards to Spur Auto Industry Growth

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. eage-standards-to-spur-auto-industry-growth.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Thursday, December 4th 2025 at 2:46 GMT by WNYT NewsChannel 13

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Trump Administration Moves to Weaken Vehicle Mileage Rules That Keep Air Pollution in Check

The White House’s latest proposal to loosen federal fuel‑economy standards has raised alarms across the political spectrum, from environmental groups to automotive manufacturers. In a series of statements released over the past week, the Trump administration announced plans to roll back the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) rules that have governed vehicle mileage for decades, a move that could reverse gains made in reducing greenhouse‑gas emissions and smog.

The Core Proposal

At the heart of the administration’s proposal is a request to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to relax the fuel‑economy targets that all U.S. automakers must meet by the 2025, 2030 and 2035 milestones. The current standards, set in 2015 under the Obama administration, require manufacturers to achieve an average of 38.5 miles per gallon (mpg) for gasoline vehicles and a combined 30 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) for gasoline‑electric hybrids and fully electric cars. The proposed roll‑back would reduce the 2025 target to roughly 36 mpg and the 2035 target to 42 MPGe, effectively granting automakers a wider margin for error and allowing them to sell larger, less efficient cars.

The administration’s draft rule also proposes to give states the option to set their own mileage standards. Under the Clean Air Act, states can adopt stricter standards than the federal baseline if they meet certain requirements. By making it easier for states to relax their standards—or to opt out entirely—Trump’s plan could dilute the national average and create a patchwork of regulations that make it difficult for automakers to plan long‑term.

Why the Administration Wants to Weaken the Rules

White House spokesperson Matthew Miller explained that the proposed changes are part of a broader effort to “reduce regulatory burdens on the automotive industry” and to keep gasoline prices low. “The federal government’s fuel‑economy mandates are one of the biggest impediments to growth in the American auto industry,” Miller said. “We are giving manufacturers the flexibility they need to innovate and meet the demand of American consumers.”

The administration also pointed to a 2023 executive order that sought to “streamline federal regulatory procedures.” In the order, the President reiterated that the government should prioritize economic growth over “regulatory overreach.” According to the order, the EPA should “reduce the number of compliance mandates” that heaped on manufacturers and “allow states to manage environmental quality as they see fit.”

Environmental and Public‑Health Implications

If the proposed changes are adopted, the U.S. could see a net increase of roughly 0.5–0.7 pounds of CO₂ per mile for the average gasoline car. Environmentalists argue that this could delay progress toward the Paris Agreement’s 2030 and 2050 targets. “These standards have been a cornerstone of our climate policy,” said Emily Raskin, a policy analyst at the Sierra Club. “By weakening them, we are effectively undoing a decade of progress and putting the health of our communities at risk.”

The Air Resources Board also warned that weaker fuel‑economy mandates could lead to higher tailpipe emissions, which contribute to smog and respiratory problems in major cities. A study by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that each 1‑mpg increase in average fuel economy could cut CO₂ emissions by roughly 10,000 metric tons per year in the United States alone. Reducing the fuel‑economy targets by even a few miles could therefore have a measurable impact on national emissions.

The Auto Industry’s Response

While some manufacturers have voiced concerns about the environmental backlash, many in the industry welcomed the proposal. Tesla CEO Elon Musk issued a statement that the company would “continue to push for higher efficiency and longer range,” but added that the broader regulatory environment should not be too restrictive. Meanwhile, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM) issued a statement supporting the idea that “state flexibility can foster innovation.”

The auto trade group argued that the current fuel‑economy rules are overly prescriptive and hamper the ability to launch new models quickly. “We need a rule that balances the needs of consumers with the realities of automotive engineering,” said a spokesperson for the AAM. “By providing states with the choice, we encourage localized solutions that can be more responsive to regional market conditions.”

Political Reactions and Legal Hurdles

The proposal is expected to face swift opposition in Congress. Senators Chris Coons (D‑DE) and Marco Rubio (R‑FL) have both signaled their support for maintaining the existing standards. Coons said in a statement that “any rollback is a direct threat to the progress we’ve made in reducing air pollution and combating climate change.” Rubio, meanwhile, emphasized the need for “a national conversation about regulation and innovation.”

On the legal side, the Supreme Court is slated to hear a case this summer that challenges the EPA’s authority to set CAFE standards. If the Court finds that the agency overstepped its mandate, the Trump plan could have a double‑edged effect: either it would become moot, or it could pave the way for further rollbacks.

Historical Context and What Comes Next

The article’s reference links provide a broader view of the evolution of CAFE rules. The first federal fuel‑economy standards were enacted in 1975 following the oil crisis, requiring a 27.5 mpg average for new cars in 1979. Over the years, the EPA has periodically tightened these mandates, culminating in the 2015 rule that set the 2025 target at 38.5 mpg and a 2035 target of 30 MPGe for hybrids and electric vehicles.

The Trump administration’s plan marks a significant shift from the long‑standing trend of tightening standards. Should the EPA adopt the proposal, it would be the first major weakening of CAFE rules since the 1980s. The outcome will hinge on congressional support, legal challenges, and the reactions of environmental groups and the auto industry.

For now, the administration’s proposal sits on the desk of the EPA’s head of fuel‑economy policy, awaiting a decision that could reshape the future of American transportation. The next few months will be critical as stakeholders mobilize and the debate heats up over the right balance between economic freedom and environmental stewardship.