Trump Lowers Fuel Econonmy Standards

The Trump administration released new fuel economy standards which allegedly lower air pollution standards from gasoline-powered cars and light trucks. Environmentalists accuse Trump of destroying incentives for electric vehicles and exposing people to more pollution. Good! It’s about time. Bear with me.

Mileage standards have been implemented since the 1970s energy crisis, and set how far the average new vehicle needs to travel on a gallon of gasoline. Granted, automakers have gradually improved their vehicles’ average efficiency, but they did so by eliminating the types of vehicles many people wanted. Ironically, at the same time, other silly rules eliminated fuel-efficient small pickup trucks such as the Chevy Luv, Ford Ranger, and Toyota SR-5 which environmentalists would appreciate.

Future mileage ratings for industry-wide passenger vehicles would have been roughly 34.9 miles per gallon for the 2031 model year. That’s up from 30.1 miles per gallon for model year 2024, but down from a desired 50.4 miles per gallon the Biden administration wanted in 2031.

Fifty-plus miles per gallon is insanely ridiculous without electric hybrids and all-electric vehicles. All one needs to do is look at Europe to see what electrifying everything does to one’s expenses. Electricity costs in most of the E.U. have jumped by 60-80% in just the last year. Part of that is due to the Russia-Ukraine war, but trying to electrify everything, thereby increasing demand, also plays a major role.

When the 2024 standards went into effect, National Highway Traffic and Safety Agency estimated they would save 14 billion gallons of gasoline from being burned by 2050. At today’s rate of consumption, that equates to 37 days of fuel… over the next 24 years – about ½ of 1% of all gallons used. That’s not much of a savings in gas... or pollution. It certainly shouldn’t deny people the cars they want instead of the cars they’re forced to have.

Transportation accounts for about 28% of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions that warm the planet. What they fail to mention is approximately half of that is by heavy duty vehicles such as semis, as well as aircraft, trains, and ships, not your typical passenger car or light duty truck.

Since taking office, Trump has also pulled back auto tailpipe emissions rules, repealed fines for automakers that do not meet federal mileage standards and terminated consumer credits of up to $7,500 for EV purchases. While I disagree with the tailpipe issue, I’m ecstatic over ending the EV subsidy, which only helps bloat government spending at taxpayer expense. Fact is, when the subsidy ended, Tesla built a cheaper EV so people could still afford them. Proof subsidies increase prices because manufacturers build to what consumers can afford.

According to data from Cox Automotive, EV sales ar. slumping, accounting for only 5.7% of total new-vehicle sales, down from 7.4% last year. The majority of people don’t want them, and without being bribed, they won’t buy them.

Government needs to get out of the automaker industry. Sure, some pollution standards need to exist, but the types of vehicles made should be determined by the market, not government Overlords.

Source used: Associated Press

(c) 2025-Present