Trump’s Actions Will Raise Drivers’ Costs
Freedom’s just another word for paying more at the pump with the Trump administration’s moves to gut fuel economy, emissions standards.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Trump administration officials tried to counter the reality that their policies are raising drivers’ costs at the pump by going on a “Freedom Means Affordable Cars” tour in Ohio and Michigan.
The reality is that this administration’s assault on cleaner, more efficient vehicles means fewer jobs, more pollution, and higher costs for drivers at the pump.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed gutting fuel-economy standards for cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks. But NHTSA’s 2024 CAFE rules were set to raise the average vehicle’s fuel efficiency to 50.4 miles per gallon, saving Americans $23 billion in fuel costs.
Separately, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is poised to repeal standards that limit tailpipe carbon pollution. But, again, the existing EPA car standards would reduce the costs of drivers of new cars by $6,000 over the lifetime of that vehicle. The Trump EPA’s own analysis found that elimination of the vehicle standards would increase costs and gas prices—and lead to job losses.
The following is a statement from Kathy Harris, director for clean vehicles at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):
“The Trump administration has put the American auto industry into reverse. That’s going to mean fewer options for car buyers, less opportunities for American autoworkers and higher costs at the pump for all of us.
“The oil industry will rake in billions more from cash-strapped Americans who can't afford to spend more to fuel up their car or truck.
“When it comes to this administration, Janis Joplin had it just about right: Freedom’s just another word for paying more at the pump.”
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).