Trump administration to slash clean car rules aimed at cutting climate emissions

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Published: 2026-09-28T15:15:37.936Z • Permanent link

Environmental groups are denouncing a move by the Trump administration to slash clean car rules, a move that could have far-reaching consequences for the automotive industry and the fight against climate change. The announcement was made on Monday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which stated that it would reduce the fuel efficiency standards for new vehicles by 2% per year. The new rules would allow automakers to sell more gas-powered cars, which are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

The move is seen as a major victory for the fossil fuel industry, which has been lobbying the Trump administration to roll back the clean car rules. In 2019, the EPA had announced plans to freeze fuel efficiency standards at 2020 levels, which would have allowed automakers to sell more gas-powered cars. However, the Trump administration's new move goes even further, allowing automakers to sell up to 37.5% of their vehicles as gas-powered cars, up from the current limit of 15%.

Critics of the move point to data from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), which found that the current fuel efficiency standards could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 12% by 2025. The ICCT also notes that the new rules could lead to an increase in air pollution, particularly in urban areas. "This move is a betrayal of the American people," said Mary Nichols, a senior associate at the Natural Resources Defense Council. "We need to take bold action to address climate change, not roll back our progress.

The impact of the Trump administration's move on the automotive industry and the fight against climate change will be felt globally. Automakers in the United States and around the world are already investing heavily in electric vehicles and other clean technologies, which will be hindered by the new rules. The move also has significant implications for the research community, which has been working to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles. According to a report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the U.S. could generate up to 40% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, which would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The new rules also have significant implications for the market, with many analysts predicting that the move will lead to a decline in electric vehicle sales. In 2020, electric vehicles accounted for just 2% of new vehicle sales in the United States, but many analysts predict that this number could increase to 10% by 2025. However, the new rules could slow this trend, which could have significant implications for the market. "This move is a major setback for the electric vehicle industry," said Joe Kirchherr, a senior fellow at the Union of Concerned Scientists. "We need to take bold action to address climate change, not roll back our progress.

The Trump administration's move to slash clean car rules is part of a larger pattern of rollbacks of environmental regulations under the Trump administration. In 2017, the EPA announced plans to roll back the Clean Power Plan, which aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The move was widely criticized by environmental groups and was eventually blocked by the courts. The new clean car rules are also part of a larger debate about the role of government in regulating the environment. In the 1970s, the U.S. government played a major role in regulating the automotive industry, including the passage of the Clean Air Act and the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards a more laissez-faire approach to regulation, with many arguing that the government should not interfere with the free market.