Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.
Tesla has urged the Trump administration not to move forward with a proposal to repeal federal vehicle emissions standards or eliminate the long-standing U.S. conclusion that greenhouse gas emissions endanger human health.
According to a new report from Reuters, the electric vehicle maker said in comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the proposal “would give a pass to engine and vehicle manufacturers for all measurement, control, and reporting of GHG emissions for any highway engine and vehicle.” Tesla argued that rolling back these rules for greenhouse gas emissions would undermine climate progress and weaken accountability for automakers.
The move comes as several legacy automakers continue to press the EPA to scale back its strict emissions limits. Earlier this week, a group representing nearly all major automakers — including General Motors, Toyota, and Volkswagen — called on regulators to ease rules that require companies to steadily increase EV production. These automakers have long been at odds with the EPA’s efforts to force a transition toward zero-emission vehicles.
At the same time, many carmakers are retreating from their ambitious EV goals. General Motors, for example, has suspended electric vehicle production shifts at its Factory Zero plant in Detroit-Hamtramck until October 6, citing slowing demand. Other automakers have similarly shifted their strategies back toward internal combustion engine models as sales growth for EVs cools.
Tesla, on the other hand, is continuing to double down on electrification and is now positioning itself as one of the few automakers actively defending stronger emissions rules. By urging the Trump administration not to weaken these standards, Tesla is signaling both its commitment to sustainability and its competitive advantage in an industry where rivals remain dependent on gasoline-powered vehicles.
The EPA is currently reviewing public input on the proposed changes, but it remains to be seen whether the agency will heed Tesla’s warnings or align with the broader automaker push for looser rules.
