EPA Confirms 2025 Reg. Review as Trump Promises More American Automotive Might

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Donald Trump said Wednesday his administration will reopen a review of the current auto emissions directives passed in the final throes of the Obama presidency. This is cause for celebration for automakers, who’ve practically begged the president to repeal the mandates on grounds that the goals are far too uncompromising and ill-suited for the present-day market.

Speaking at the American Center for Mobility, President Trump promised to bring more manufacturing back into the United States and continue to bring down regulatory barriers so that automakers can continue to thrive.

“We’re going to work on the CAFE standards so you can make cars in America again,” Trump said. “There is no more beautiful sight than an American-made car.”

Clearly, the president has either never seen an Aston Martin or is trying to make a point about the importance of domestic product.

Prior to the speech, Trump toured the $80 million autonomous vehicle testing ground in Ypsilanti, Michigan, while meeting privately with executives from major auto companies, Governor Rick Snyder, and UAW President Dennis Williams. While Williams said he appreciates Trump being there, he also expressed his concern over weakened environmental standards for the automobile industry — echoing similar objections from consumer advocacy groups and environmentalists.

Immediately after Trump’s speech, the EPA released a statement confirming its intention to revisit the greenhouse gas emissions standards for model years 2017-2025.

“These standards are costly for automakers and the American people,” said newly minted EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “We will work with our partners at DOT to take a fresh look to determine if this approach is realistic. This thorough review will help ensure that this national program is good for consumers and good for the environment.”

Some have suggested it may not be good for the environment, however. Shannon Baker-Branstetter, policy counsel for Consumers Union, said, “The Administration should reconsider today’s action. The EPA finalized the standards after a thorough study of costs and benefits. A decision to withdraw the standards is nonsensical, as it would merely funnel more money to oil companies at consumers’ expense and halt the progress that can be made in both savings for consumers and vehicle efficiency. The standards already take the cost into account, and the record shows that they are a reasonable, cost-effective approach to improving fuel efficiency and lowering consumers’ expenses.”

Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) also tweeted Wednesday that allowing automakers slack on emissions and economy could easily result in consumers paying more at the pump. There is also no real assurance that less stringent environmental regulations would create new jobs or sell more cars.

Trump said those issues would need to be addressed, specifically stating current standards are set too far into the future to know what impact it would have on employment until more research is done. Granted, his administration already seems to support the notion that fewer regulations will be better for the country’s financial resources.

“Today’s decision by the EPA is a win for the American economy,” stated Trump-appointed U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “The Department of Transportation will re-open the Mid-Term evaluation process and work with the EPA to complete the review in a transparent, data-driven manner.”

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Tylanner Tylanner on Mar 16, 2017

    The second great bail-out of the automotive industry...except this time they don't face systemic risk...they'd rather just maintain the status quo. There is probably a balance here that lies between the two sides but any regression in regulation achieved will be laughably temporary...and the manufacturers know this....so I don't expect it to divert any existing EV projects or move towards efficiency in general.

  • Jeff S Jeff S on Mar 17, 2017

    In 4 to 8 years Trump will be out of office and we will probably have another Democrat for President which means we will probably have stricter efficiency standards. If the auto manufacturers are smart they will plan for this and continue to work on newer and more efficient vehicles. Also as Big Al from Oz said that to be competitive on a Global basis vehicles will have to continue to develop more efficient drive trains and be designed for a Global market. Fuel prices will at some point go up again so it is best to keep developing more efficient vehicles.

  • ToolGuy North America is already the greatest country on the planet, and I have learned to be careful about what I wish for in terms of making changes. I mean, if Greenland wants to buy JDM vehicles, isn't that for the Danes to decide?
  • ToolGuy Once again my home did not catch on fire and my fire extinguisher(s) stayed in the closet, unused. I guess I threw my money away on fire extinguishers.(And by fire extinguishers I mean nuclear missiles.)
  • Carson D The UAW has succeeded in organizing a US VW plant before. There's a reason they don't teach history in the schools any longer. People wouldn't make the same mistakes.
  • B-BodyBuick84 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport of course, a 7 seater, 2.4 turbo-diesel I4 BOF SUV with Super-Select 4WD, centre and rear locking diffs standard of course.
  • Corey Lewis Think how dated this 80s design was by 1995!
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