President Donald Trump on Saturday said he had approved new fuel-economy standards that would roll back Biden-era vehicle efficiency rules, arguing the move will lower new-car prices and give automakers more flexibility in what they build.
The Transportation Department is expected to formally finalize the standards Monday. The rules would substantially lower the fuel-economy requirements for model years through 2031, with the Trump administration arguing they will cut vehicle costs while critics warn they could increase gasoline consumption.
Trump Targets Biden-Era EV Rules
On Saturday, Trump announced the changes in a Truth Social post, calling it a "BIG DAY FOR AMERICAN AUTO WORKERS AND CAR BUYERS!"
"I have just approved new Fuel Economy Standards that TERMINATE Sleepy Joe Biden and Pete Boot-EDGE-EDGE's ridiculous EV Mandate," he wrote.
Trump accused the Biden administration of costing automakers billions and said its policies "forced Americans into cars they never wanted" while wasting money on charging infrastructure.
"These new Standards will take the waste out of building cars in America," he wrote. "That means LOWER PRICES, saving families thousands on a new, beautiful, and safe car."
The President also said automakers, including General Motors Co (NYSE:GM), Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) and Stellantis NV (NYSE:STLA), have expressed interest in expanding U.S. production.
"Under my Administration, over 100 $Billion is being invested in American Autos, and that's just the beginning," he said, adding that plants and jobs are returning to Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina and other parts of the country.
He thanked Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick before concluding, "AMERICA IS BACK. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!"
Buttigieg Criticizes Trump
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said U.S. manufacturing and auto jobs have declined under Trump, calling his strategy a failure.
He argued that lowering fuel economy standards will further weaken U.S. clean-tech competitiveness, "handing the clean tech future to China" and "forcing Americans to pay more at the pump."
U.S. manufacturing jobs are down under Trump, including in the auto industry. His strategy failed, and so will this.
Lowering standards will accelerate what he has already been doing: handing the clean tech future to China and forcing Americans to pay more at the pump. pic.twitter.com/aBavbbYVkh
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) September 26, 2026
Trump Touted Auto Tariffs
Last month, Trump said his tariffs helped revive the U.S. auto industry, saying Ford's Detroit plant was "running 24/7" and "one of the most profitable Car Plants" worldwide.
He said, "I've revived, and indeed saved, the Automobile Business in our America."
Lutnick also said, "These tariffs are bringing auto manufacturing home," while pointing to Ford and Toyota Motor Corp (NYSE:TM) U.S. expansion.
He said "Thousands and Thousands of jobs" were returning to America.
