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The Auto Industry in the U.S. seem very happy with President Trump’s administration plan to roll back greenhouse-gas emissions limits. This should benefit carmakers of petrol-powered vehicles and preserve consumer choice for some time into the future.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reconsidering proposed vehicle emissions standards beginning in 2027, proponents are optimistic that easing regulations will foster a far greater competitive global playing field for manufacturers and suppliers alike.

However, representatives for the EV Association, which advocates for fast EV adoption, are already reporting that this will be a backward step. Other voices that speak for the Alliance for Automotive Innovation are reporting that this roll back action will preserve consumer choice, and surely more options are better.

The new leadership at the EPA intends to revisit current restrictive greenhouse gas emissions limits. Their talk so far is indicating that a more balanced approach to emissions will be key to preserving vehicle choice, keeping the industry globally competitive and in a position to support the economic security for the years ahead.

It has been true for a while now that the existing Green House Gas (GHG) rules are extremely difficult to achieve. Remember that it’s regions like the U.S. and Europe that set the global standards that make it almost impossible for car makers to meet them without greater cost to the car buyer.

The American National Manufacturers Association (NAM) has already commended that this halt to the regulatory onslaught will help unburden the industry. President Trump and the EPA Administrator, Lee Zeldin, have answered the call from manufacturers across the country to rebalance and reconsider all burdensome regulations harming their ability to compete.This would include the previous administration’s unworkable PM2.5 NAAQS rule.

In December 2024, the NAM, along with more than 100 manufacturing associations, sent a letter to President Trump highlighting 36+ regulatory actions the administration should take to put a stop to the onslaught that is costing car manufacturers around $350B of compliance costs each year.

Additionally, the EPA will be reviewing and revising other burdensome regulations and the NAM welcomes the opportunity to rethink these regulations that have stunted real growth and innovation. Manufacturers will continue to partner with the EPA to rebalance the regulatory framework to allow this industry to move ahead with transformational investments that will strengthen their manufacturing, innovation along with greater job creation.

The Electric Vehicle Association has labelled this decision as unfortunate. They believe that their product is clean and have stated that it’s unfortunate that clean cars and environmental consciousness have become wrought with political tension. However, what is often forgotten is the pre-manufacturing and post recycling footprints of the EV fleet.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has thanked EPA Administrator Zeldin and President Trump for this new bold action. SEMA has long advocated that the government mandates, including those designed to support the sale of EV’s and eliminate the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, are the wrong approach to reducing vehicle emissions. The federal and state governments should take a broader approach to vehicle technology, incentivise innovation, and allow the market to determine the best ways to reach improved emissions goals. What do you think?

April 2025