The move is the latest action by the Trump administration to reverse policies from the era of former Democratic President Joe Biden that encouraged cleaner-running cars and trucks, including electric vehicles (EVs). Burning petrol for vehicles is a major contributor to planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, and in the US, it is the largest contributor. Trump announced the plan at a White House event that included top executives from the three largest US automakers, who have praised the planned changes.
The proposal would significantly reduce fuel economy requirements, which set rules on how far new vehicles need to travel on a gallon of gasoline, through the 2031 model year, according to a White House official and several people familiar with the plan. They were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly because the proposal has not been announced and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Department of Transportation declared that Biden's administration exceeded its authority by assuming electric vehicle uptake in calculating fuel economy rules, leading to looser standards.