Trump’s Rollback of Clean Vehicle Actions to Expose Families to Toxic Air Pollution, Reduce Consumer Choice
WASHINGTON — On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order intending to roll back many of the Biden administration’s clean transportation programs and policies put into place over the past four years. In response, Will Anderson, electric vehicles policy advocate with Public Citizen’s Climate Program, issued the following statement:
“Trump’s day one executive order on vehicles is yet another example of him coddling his cronies in the fossil fuel industry at the expense of the American people. Reversing these policies would endanger clean air, public health, and economic benefits for all Americans, regardless of where they live or what they drive. It would also weaken the American auto industry’s ability to compete in the global market.
“The latest clean vehicle and fuel economy standards are performance-based, technology-neutral, and align with nearly 50 years of federal policy. Automakers are not obligated to produce or sell electric vehicles or any specific type of vehicle; they have the freedom to choose how to meet the standards. These standards also have the backing of the United Auto Workers, which represents over 400,000 active members in the auto industry.
“Automakers have already committed $320 billion to EV-related investments, including new car factories and battery production. Trump’s rollback not only undercuts these investments but could jeopardize the thousands of good paying manufacturing jobs that come with them.”
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