US President Donald Trump has approved an executive order favoring combustion cars over electric cars. The rule relaxes emissions standards for cars sold in the United States.
The Republican president justified this measure so that families could buy cheaper cars, but the truth is that it represents a lifeline for manufacturers who have been exhausted by the requirements of switching to the electric motor and the fierce competition from cars coming from China. The White House estimates that the changes will mean a total savings of $109 billion over the next five years, and will save about $1,000 on average when purchasing a new car.
“I have signed an executive order to end the unfair and costly mandate for electric vehicles,” Trump said, flanked by his senior Cabinet staff, Ford CEO Jim Farley, and his counterpart at Stellantis (the group that makes Jeep, Fiat, Chrysler, Opel, and Citroen, among others). The president continued: “You know, we had to have an electric car in a very short period of time, even though there was no way to recharge it.” “We are eliminating tailpipe emissions standards.” The standard extends the period during which combustion vehicles that have not been adapted to new regulations requiring lower emissions can be sold.
Regulations passed by developed countries in recent years have forced manufacturers to design more efficient engines: engines that can travel more distance while consuming less gasoline. Investment efforts to combine these investments with electric vehicle development have been stifling the sector, according to auto groups. Now Trump is allowing cars to be less efficient and saving them billions of dollars in investment.
The president has bragged that he ended the Trump rule that reduced polluting emissions. Trump has never hidden his denial of climate change. He pointed out, “It is a crusade to put an end to gasoline cars. This is what they wanted to do, even though we have more gasoline than any other country so far and people want gasoline cars. They want everything. They want electric cars. They want anything. They want to have many alternatives. But they want gasoline cars.”
The proposal would significantly reduce fuel economy requirements, which specify the distances new vehicles must travel on a gallon of gasoline, through the 2031 model year, PBS News has learned.
The use of gasoline in vehicle manufacturing contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. The Republican administration says the new rules will expand Americans’ access to the full range of gasoline vehicles they need and can afford.
The occupant of the Oval Office also announced that he would approve another decree so automakers could produce smaller cars.
Trump explained during his appearance at the White House that the auto sector has been demanding that he cancel the emissions standard for months. The US President said: “I can tell you that people from Ford came to see me all the time and said: Please, there is no point in this, it is killing us, it is raising costs.”
The United States is not the only country taking measures of this kind in the face of pressure from manufacturers to adapt to new emissions standards. The European Commission intends to accelerate the review of the 100% emission reduction targets for cars and small trucks set for 2035. This review would de facto mean exceeding 2035, the deadline after which it will no longer be possible to sell combustion cars.
Brussels has not yet detailed the scope of the review. The European auto sector is very concerned because it fears not reaching the year 2035 when a comprehensive ban on the sale of combustion cars and new trucks will come into force. The sector insists on not betting everything on the electric car and demands a greater margin for what is called technological neutrality.
“We’re very proud that Ford is our nation’s leading automaker,” Ford CEO Jim Farley said from the White House. “85% to 80% of the vehicles we sell here are built in our country, and we’ve never left.” “Unlike many of our competitors, we are the main exporter and have the largest number of workers in auto plants,” he noted, in a clear reference to the strategies of other manufacturers. “CAFE (new emission standards) is the right decision for several reasons. Last year we were second in electric vehicle sales. We were third in hybrid vehicle sales and we are the leading brand in combustion vehicles. We believe people should have a choice, and we will invest more in affordable vehicles.”
The CEO of Stellantis has pledged further investment for the automotive group on US soil. “At Stellantis, we have decided to invest $13 billion in Jeep, Ram, Dodge and Chrysler over the next four years, increasing production by 50%, launching five new vehicles and creating an additional 5,000 jobs. This is because we believe in what you, the Secretary, and your entire team are doing in this country. We believe in growth and are ready to invest more.”