WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has unveiled a plan to relax vehicle mileage standards for the automotive industry, aiming to ease regulatory demands on controlling emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles. This proposal, shared by several individuals familiar with the administration’s intentions, marks a significant shift in policy.
The suggested changes would notably lower fuel economy requirements, outlining the distance new vehicles must cover per gallon of gasoline up to the 2031 model year. This information comes from a White House official and several sources who requested anonymity due to the proposal’s lack of formal announcement. Specific details are still forthcoming.
This initiative represents another step by the Trump administration to dismantle previous policies that promoted more environmentally friendly vehicles, including those powered by electricity. Gasoline consumption by vehicles is a substantial source of greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change. The administration argues that the revised rules will broaden consumer access to a variety of gasoline vehicles that are both necessary and financially accessible.
Trump is expected to reveal the proposal during a White House event featuring leading figures from the nation’s top three automakers, who have expressed support for these regulatory changes. Since assuming office, Trump has rolled back auto emissions standards, revoked penalties for failing to meet federal mileage benchmarks, and eliminated consumer incentives for electric vehicle purchases.
Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, commended the proposal on Wednesday, describing it as a victory for both consumers and practicality.
Farley stated, “As America’s largest auto producer, we appreciate President Trump’s leadership in matching fuel economy standards with market realities. We can advance in reducing carbon emissions and boosting energy efficiency, while still providing customers with choice and affordability.”
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa said the automaker appreciates the administration’s actions to “realign” the standards.
Environmentalists decried the decision.
“In one stroke Trump is worsening three of our nation’s most vexing problems: the thirst for oil, high gas pump costs and global warming,” said Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Transport Campaign for the Center for Biological Diversity.
“Trump’s action will feed America’s destructive use of oil, while hamstringing us in the green tech race against Chinese and other foreign carmakers,” Becker said.
Trump has repeatedly pledged to end what he falsely calls an EV “mandate,” referring incorrectly to Democratic President Joe Biden’s target that half of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2030. EVs accounted for about 8% of new vehicle sales in the United States in 2024, according to Cox Automotive.
No federal policy has required auto companies to sell EVs, although California and other states have imposed rules requiring that all new passenger vehicles sold in the state be zero-emission by 2035. Trump and congressional Republicans blocked the California law earlier this year.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged his agency to reverse existing fuel economy requirements, known as Corporate Average Fuel Economy, soon after taking office. In June, he said that standards set under Biden were illegal because they included use of electric vehicles in their calculation. EVs do not run on gasoline. After the June rule revision, the traffic safety agency was empowered to update the requirements.
Under Biden, automakers were required to average about 50 miles (81 kilometers) per gallon of gas for passenger cars by 2031, compared with about 39 miles (63 kilometers) per gallon today.
The Biden administration also increased fuel-economy requirements by 2% each year for light-duty vehicles in every model year from 2027 to 2031, and 2% per year for SUVs and other light trucks from 2029 to 2031. At the same time, it called for stringent tailpipe rules meant to encourage EV adoption.
The auto industry has complained that both Biden-era rules were difficult to meet.
Mileage rules have been implemented since the 1970s energy crisis, and over time, automakers have gradually increased their vehicles’ average efficiency.
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St. John reported from Detroit. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.
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