Lower mileage standards, higher pump costs: What Trump's auto move means for California
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Set us as preferred The Trump administration on Monday released new fuel-efficiency rules that loosen pressure on automakers to control pollution from gasoline-powered vehicles, further complicating California’s ability to meet its climate and clean car goals.President Trump pitched the changes, which he announced in December, as a way to boost the domestic auto industry and lower consumer costs.
He made the original announcement standing alongside several auto executives.The new rule applies to Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards, or CAFE Standards, which have been implemented by the federal government since the 1970s, when cars averaged about 13 miles per gallon.The change will set the requirement for 2031 model-year vehicles to 34.9 miles per gallon, when it would have been 50.4 miles per gallon under rules from the Biden administration.
U.S.Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the move will end the “illegal mandate that forced automakers to produce more expensive electric vehicles that American families didn’t want.”“With our commonsense standards in place, we are making the American dream affordable again, putting safer cars on the road, and investing in the American autoworker,” Duffy said in a statement.But experts say the plan enables automakers to manufacture and sell larger, heavier and less fuel-efficient vehicles in states across the country.
“What this rule does is sends a signal to the auto industry that they don’t have to make their vehicles more efficient, and they don’t have to create vehicles that will save drivers money anymore,” said Kathy Harris, director of clean vehicles, climate and energy at the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council.“It’s just focusing on the cost [to] industry and ignoring the real affordability crisis that Californians and Americas are really feeling right now.” Climate & Environment President Trump announced a plan to w...