Trump’s Fuel Efficiency Rollback: Higher Costs, Emissions Ahead

February 4, 2025
1 min read
Representative image Highway traffic at dusk with car lights streaking. Photo Source: Cristhian_Adame_P (Pixabay).
Representative image Highway traffic at dusk with car lights streaking. Photo Source: Cristhian_Adame_P (Pixabay).

The Trump administration is changing how car companies make vehicles, rolling back rules that require better gas mileage. These rules, known as fuel economy standards, affect gas prices and the types of cars available at dealerships.

Under the old rules set by President Biden, car makers had to build vehicles that could drive further on each gallon of gas – reaching 38 miles per gallon by 2031 for real-world driving conditions, with passenger cars specifically needing to reach 65 miles per gallon. Now, the new Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wants to lower these requirements.

What does this mean for your budget? A recent study shows keeping the current rules could save car owners about $6,000 by 2029. That’s because cars that use less gas mean fewer trips to the pump. (The Environmental Protection Agency- did not find this info on this website but found it in the one I mentioned here)  NHTSA or The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found these rules would save 64 billion gallons of gasoline and reduce carbon emissions by 659 million metric tons.

“This change will hit people’s wallets at the gas pump,” says Dan Becker from the Center for Biological Diversity. He warns that while oil companies benefit, American car makers might fall behind as other countries move ahead with electric vehicles.

Car companies are split on the decision. Some welcome easier rules, but others worry that their investments in cleaner technology will be wasted. John Bozzella, speaking for car manufacturers, explains: “Making cars meet these standards is already tough and costly. But suddenly changing the rules creates new problems for us.”


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Secretary Duffy argues the strict rules make cars too expensive to buy, especially for families and small businesses. He points out that America has plenty of oil and can make its own fuel, unlike the special materials needed for electric car batteries, which often come from other countries.

The changes go beyond just cars. States won’t have to track and reduce pollution from vehicles on highways anymore. President Trump also wants to stop plans that aimed to make half of new cars electric by 2030.

Cars and trucks remain the biggest source of air pollution in America, as confirmed by 2022 EPA data. Industry experts warn these changes could cost jobs at companies that make cleaner vehicles and put American car makers behind global competitors.
Moving Forward, these changes affect both your daily costs and local air quality. While some see savings in cheaper cars today, others point to higher fuel costs and increased pollution over time. The debate continues between making vehicles more affordable now versus saving money and reducing pollution over time.

Sunita Somvanshi

With over two decades of dedicated service in the state environmental ministry, this seasoned professional has cultivated a discerning perspective on the intricate interplay between environmental considerations and diverse industries. Sunita is armed with a keen eye for pivotal details, her extensive experience uniquely positions her to offer insightful commentary on topics ranging from business sustainability and global trade's environmental impact to fostering partnerships, optimizing freight and transport for ecological efficiency, and delving into the realms of thermal management, logistics, carbon credits, and energy transition. Through her writing, she not only imparts valuable knowledge but also provides a nuanced understanding of how businesses can harmonize with environmental imperatives, making her a crucial voice in the discourse on sustainable practices and the future of industry.

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