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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans to roll back Biden-era fuel economy standards during a Friday visit to Stellantis’ Jeep Wrangler plant in Toledo, Ohio, calling the previous regulations “illegal and unattainable.” The announcement came as part of a two-day Midwest tour that included stops at Ford’s Ohio Assembly Plant near Cleveland. EPA head Lee Zeldin and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer joined Duffy for the tour, which concluded Saturday at the annual Detroit Auto Show.
The New Standard Targets 35 Miles Per Gallon
Duffy told reporters the administration is implementing a 35 miles per gallon fuel economy standard, replacing the Biden administration’s regulations. “Thirty-five miles to the gallon for this new fuel economy standard, which is going to, I think, bring prices down and going to allow car companies to offer products that Americans want to buy,” Duffy said, according to The Detroit News. The change reverses Biden-era vehicle emissions regulations.
EPA Chief Says Government Shouldn’t Force Market Direction
Lee Zeldin, heading the Environmental Protection Agency, argued against government mandates on vehicle types. “Should not be forcing, requiring, mandating that the market go in a direction other than what the American consumer is demanding,” Zeldin said during the tour. President Donald Trump had previously signed legislation eliminating the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit and rescinding California’s EV rules.
Penalties for Missing Fuel Efficiency Targets Canceled
The Trump administration’s legislation canceled penalties the Biden administration had imposed on automakers failing to meet fuel efficiency standards, after zeroing out noncompliance fines last year. “I don’t want the government to dictate the kind of cars we build,” Duffy said Friday. “I want the freedom of innovation, and I want consumer demands to drive the kinds of cars that are produced.” The rollback removes financial consequences automakers previously faced for not achieving stringent efficiency benchmarks.
Officials Deny Waging War on Electric Vehicles
Despite eliminating EV incentives, Duffy emphasized the administration isn’t opposing electric vehicles outright. “This is not a war on EVs at all. There’s a lot of people that love them, and think they’re wonderful and they work for them, and they should be able to buy them,” Duffy said. “It’s just that we shouldn’t use government policy to encourage EV purchases, all the while penalizing the combustion engine, which most Americans want to buy.”
Vehicle Sales Rose Despite Steep Import Tariffs
Vehicle sales in the United States increased 2.4 percent despite steep tariffs on imported vehicles, Cox Automotive reported. The growth happened as buyers chose pricier SUVs and trucks, with dealers stocking fewer affordable options. The average new car price hit a record $50,326, according to Cox Automotive and Edmunds. The Department of Transportation estimated the proposed regulatory changes would save families more than $900 off the average cost of a new vehicle and reduce roadway fatalities.
Trade Representative Downplays Tariff Impact on Prices
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said tariffs aren’t affecting what consumers pay at dealerships. Greer told reporters that tariff effects on the supply chain aren’t reaching consumers, despite the record-high average vehicle prices. His comments came during the Detroit Auto Show visit, where administration officials promoted regulatory rollbacks as a path to more affordable cars for American buyers.
Buyers Gravitate Toward Expensive SUVs and Trucks
Cox Automotive and Edmunds both reported that dealers offered fewer low-cost vehicle options as consumers bought higher-priced SUVs and trucks, pushing the average new car price to record levels in December. The research firms documented the 2.4 percent sales increase alongside the shift toward premium vehicles. American buyers continued choosing larger, more expensive models even as tariffs remained in place and the administration announced plans to reduce regulatory costs.
California’s EV Rules Rescinded Under New Legislation
The Trump administration’s legislative package specifically rescinded California’s electric vehicle rules, which had previously allowed the state to set stricter emissions standards than federal requirements. California represents the largest U.S. auto market. The rescission removes California’s ability to mandate higher EV adoption rates, consolidating vehicle standards under federal control.
Administration Emphasizes Consumer Choice Over Mandates
The two-day Midwest tour centered on letting consumer preferences determine the automotive market’s direction rather than government mandates. Duffy and Zeldin told reporters and industry leaders that buyers who want electric vehicles can still purchase them, but federal policy won’t push EVs while penalizing combustion engines. With vehicle sales up 2.4 percent despite record prices, the officials framed their regulatory approach as responding to what American consumers actually demand.