President Donald Trump’s new executive order aims to loosen regulations on electric vehicles, but the effects are unclear and may take time to iron out. The order does not establish any mandatory EV mandate, as the US has never had such a law. Instead, it targets vehicle fuel efficiency and tailpipe standards, which require manufacturers to reach certain levels of gas efficiency and cap pollutants released.
The administration’s efforts will likely face opposition from environmental groups and critics argue that stricter emissions standards should be in place. Automakers will continue to make and sell electric vehicles, but the long-term future of the US auto industry remains uncertain.
One area of concern is subsidy programs, including federal tax credits for EV buyers, which may be affected by changes to the Inflation Reduction Act. The order also targets funding for public electric vehicle charging infrastructure, which could be difficult to pause given that much of the funding has already been allocated.
The move has sparked debate and is likely to lead to lawsuits, as environmental groups and automakers prepare for a potential backlash against stricter regulations. California, with its goal of banning gas-powered cars by 2035, may face an additional challenge in regulating its own auto sales standards.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/trump-says-he-ended-the-ev-mandate-what-does-that-mean