The Trump Administration has recently continued its assault on electric cars by pushing for new fuel economy standards.
Since President Donald Trump took office, the auto industry has been in chaos. Previously, it seemed like electric vehicles were the future, but Trump has taken a strong stance against EVs, prompting many automakers to pivot away from all-electric plans.
In late September, Trump took a further step against former President Joe Biden’s electric-vehicle goals.
EV mandates changing in the U.S.
Things all seemed to change drastically when the Trump Administration removed the $7,500 EV tax credit in late 2025. This immediately saw a drastic decline in electric vehicle purchases.
Then, he mass-repealed swathes of EPA legislation in February 2026. Removing a bunch of restrictions regarding gas-powered vehicles’ engines and designs has definitely given some hope that the sedan could make a return.
Now, Trump stated on September 26th that he is in favor of the newly proposed fuel economy standards that would replace Biden’s, which required all vehicles to have 50.4 miles per gallon by 2031. This was meant to make vehicles more fuel efficient, but Trump called it a “ridiculous EV mandate” on Truth Social.
Forget the unmasked lesbian clown school bar drama in Boston. The real woke leftist conspiracy is most definitely the concept of trying to reduce pollution! That’d just be ridiculous!
“That means LOWER PRICES, saving families thousands on a new, beautiful, and safe car — Far better than the Environmental Monsters that we were building heretofore,” Trump rambled about. “Every Manufacturer, from General Motors to Ford to Stellantis, has called me wanting to build here, and now they can!”
Trump didn’t give any details about the new standards, but he did promise it would provide more jobs to Americans. As always, you can really say anything. I can tell you right now that I plan to donate $100,000 to anyone who gets a Chinese EV. Or maybe you’d believe me more if I said the Cybertruck can float like a boat and the second-generation Roadster will fly.
In other words, I’ll believe it when I actually see it. Until then, it’s just words.
Isn’t this a good thing?
I am not personally a fan of the current administration, but I have always felt the car community is being attacked rather than big businesses. We can’t drive our classic cars except on Saturday mornings, yet big businesses are dumping sludge into the oceans and endlessly spewing toxic fumes in massive smokestacks. Why is all the blame being put on us everyday folks?
For that reason, I’m perfectly happy with gas-powered vehicles making a comeback. We need the variety. Maybe that means we will get a manual revival as well. Either way, I’d love to see a wide variety of vehicles on the road rather than mind-numbing electric SUVs. Especially a wide variety of more affordable cars on the road.
However, some believe this could be a terrible change.
Katherine García, Director of the Sierra Club’s “Clean Transportation For All” campaign, felt there were many downsides:
“Families already cannot afford the basics, and now Donald Trump wants to make driving more expensive too,” García said.
“Less fuel-efficient cars mean more gas burned, spending more at the pump, and dirtier air in our communities. Americans need relief from high costs, but instead Trump is giving automakers a free pass on pollution and handing families the bill – at the pump and with their health.”
I don’t think she’s wrong. I just think some of us don’t mind paying for gas if it means keeping these cars around.
Trump added that the push for all-electric vehicles “forced Americans into cars they never wanted.”
I don’t recall being forced to get an electric car. Rewarded for it, sure. But not forced. However, more and more new vehicles were being driven onto dealership lots with only electric and hybrid options. It seemed like gas-powered cars were disappearing. It was a bit worrisome.
But as I said, this is all just talk. I’ll have to see the details before I believe this kinda drastic change will come.
