Trump Administration Aims to Roll Back Biden’s Emission Standards

The Trump Administration is seeking to roll back strict emissions standards implemented by the Biden Administration, targeting regulations that govern both light-duty passenger vehicles and heavy-duty commercial trucks.

In a recent press release, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) outlined its intention to contest greenhouse gas emissions standards for model years 2027 to 2032. The agency also aims to modify rules that limit smog-inducing nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions from heavy-duty trucks, which the Trump Administration argues contribute to rising vehicle costs.

Regulations could lead to a 50% reduction in fleet emissions by 2032 compared to 2027

These emissions standards, finalized in 2024, are designed to increase the market share of electric vehicles significantly. The EPA estimated that these regulations, if maintained, could lead to a 50% reduction in fleet emissions by 2032 compared to 2027 levels, pushing between 35% and 56% of new vehicles sold during 2030-2032 to be electric.

The Trump Administration, however, views the stricter rules as a foundation for the electric vehicle mandate set by the previous administration, challenging their validity.

Additionally, the 2022 heavy-duty truck emissions rules, which are 80% stricter than prior standards, could potentially save up to 2,900 lives annually and generate $29 billion in net benefits each year. Yet, these regulations do not impose any electric vehicle mandates, indicating a complex landscape for future vehicle emissions policies.

The Trump Administration’s moves to weaken emissions standards contradict its previous policies and seek to reframe cleaner vehicles as negative. Complicating matters further, the administration has also frozen federal funding for electric vehicle chargers, sparking frustration among automotive manufacturers.

In response, California continues to push forward with its infrastructure expansion for electric vehicle charging, irrespective of federal funding uncertainties.