United States President Donald Trump has rolled out a proposal to weaken vehicle mileage standards, a move that could reshape the US auto market by allowing carmakers to build more petrol-heavy fleets and ease off the transition to electric vehicles.
Announced Wednesday, the plan would lower fuel efficiency requirements through the 2031 model year. If finalised next year, the target would land at an industry average of about 34.5 miles per gallon (65.5km), far below the trajectory set under former President Joe Biden.
Officials pitched the rollback as a win for consumer choice. More relaxed standards mean automakers can produce bigger, more profitable SUVs and trucks, vehicles Americans continue to buy in droves despite climate concerns.
The proposal fits into Trump’s broader effort to unwind Biden-era climate policies. Since returning to office in January, Trump has eased tailpipe emissions rules, scrapped penalties for missing fuel targets and scrapped the $7,500 EV consumer tax credit, signalling a clear preference for petrol vehicles over electric adoption.
Top executives from major US automakers attended the White House announcement and praised the direction, arguing earlier regulations were too stringent to meet.
Environmental groups, however, warn that transportation remains the country’s single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, and weakening standards runs counter to global climate commitments.
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