Federal regulations have raised fuel efficiency over the decades, even though the Trump administration and Congress have recently rolled those rules back.
With federal tax credits gone and carmakers refocusing on gas-powered SUVs and trucks, the electric vehicle market was already struggling. The rising cost of fuel and a growing stock of used EVs change the math for consumers.
The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act zeroes out the fines the federal government charged automakers for violating fuel efficiency standards. That could change the kinds of vehicles carmakers build, at least in the short term.
The Trump administration is battling California over its strict fuel standards. Regardless of who ends up winning, automakers are likely to keep increasing fuel standards.
Automakers are deciding whether to choose stricter emissions standards set by California, or a regulatory “freeze” proposed by the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump has promised to roll back fuel efficiency rules, but there is still no firm decision. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.
