Trump To Weaken Mileage Rules?
President Donald Trump announced a major policy shift Wednesday, unveiling a proposal that reduces federal fuel-economy requirements and protects Americans’ access to affordable, gasoline-powered vehicles. The move represents one of the most significant reversals of Biden-era transportation rules—rules that raised car prices, limited consumer choice, and pushed an aggressive electric-vehicle agenda.
Under Trump’s plan, fuel standards would be eased through the 2031 model year, lowering the industrywide target to roughly 34.5 mpg. Biden had forced automakers toward an unrealistic 50.4 mpg requirement, creating what critics said were artificial price hikes on new vehicles.
Trump said the new approach puts affordability and consumer freedom first.
“From day one I’ve worked to make cars affordable again,” Trump said at a White House event alongside top auto executives. “Biden forced carmakers to use expensive technology that drove up costs and made cars worse.”
✔ Lower Prices for New Cars — A Direct Benefit for Working Families
The Trump administration estimates the rollback will save Americans about $1,000 per new car, a major relief as vehicle prices remain near record highs. The average new car in October cost $49,766, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Auto leaders praised the change:
Ford CEO Jim Farley:
“A win for customers and common sense.”
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa:
The new rules align with “real-world market conditions,” he said.
Automakers have long warned that Biden’s rules were nearly impossible to meet—especially when consumers continue choosing gas-powered SUVs, trucks, and sedans over electric vehicles.
Trump Pushes Back on EV Mandates: “People Want Gasoline Cars”
Trump repeated what millions of Americans already know: the EV push isn’t consumer-driven, it’s government-driven.
Biden’s administration wanted half of all new cars sold by 2030 to be electric, despite EVs capturing only 8% of the U.S. market in 2024.
“People want the gasoline car,” Trump said. “Democrats’ EV obsession is insane.”
California and other blue states tried to ban new gas-powered vehicles starting in 2035. Trump and Republican lawmakers blocked California’s mandate earlier this year, protecting millions of consumers who rely on gas engines for work, travel, and daily life.
✔ Automakers Gain Flexibility — Biden-Era Penalties Eliminated
Since returning to office, President Trump has:
- Repealed EV tax credits
- Eliminated fines for failing to meet inflated fuel targets
- Rolled back tailpipe emissions rules
- Restored automakers’ freedom to build vehicles Americans actually buy
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Biden’s rules were “illegal” because they used electric vehicles—cars that do not use gasoline—to influence gas mileage calculations.
Duffy emphasized that Trump’s new standards will empower manufacturers to build:
“The vehicles Americans want to purchase, not the ones Biden and Buttigieg want to force on families.”
Environmental Activists Outraged — But Consumers Stand to Gain
Predictably, environmental groups expressed outrage. Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity, and various climate activists made dire predictions about emissions, gas consumption, and pollution.
But these same groups supported Biden rules that inflated car prices, limited options, and punished families who simply want reliable transportation.
The conservative reality: Americans cannot afford $60,000 electric cars, long charging waits, or unreliable range in rural areas.
Trump’s rollback prevents a forced march toward EVs and restores economic freedom.
EV Overreach Threatened American Manufacturing
Even automakers that invested heavily in electrification admit consumers aren’t ready to abandon gasoline. GM, Ford, and Stellantis have poured billions into EV development but have repeatedly warned Washington that demand simply doesn’t match political pressure.
GM, which skipped the White House event, reaffirmed that it still wants a mix of gas-powered and electric vehicles—a position far closer to Trump’s free-market approach than Biden’s mandates.
Why This Rollback Matters for Conservative, Older, and Rural Americans
This decision is especially important for Americans age 50+, who overwhelmingly prefer traditional vehicles for:
✔ Reliability
✔ Lower repair costs
✔ Long-distance capability
✔ Towing and hauling
✔ Better performance in cold weather
✔ Avoiding charging downtime
These are the consumers hit hardest by Biden’s EV mandates—and the ones who benefit the most from Trump’s market-driven policy shift.
Bottom Line: Trump Restores Choice, Cuts Costs, and Ends Biden’s Car Mandates
President Trump’s new fuel-economy plan represents a major victory for American consumers, especially in rural communities, suburban households, and working families who rely on affordable gas-powered vehicles.
The rollback:
✔ Cuts car prices
✔ Reduces federal overregulation
✔ Protects consumer choice
✔ Restores free-market principles
✔ Pushes back against EV mandates
✔ Supports American auto manufacturing
