US rolls back emissions standards as electric cars gain ground
By Johani Carolina Ponce
President Donald Trump recently signed a series of executive orders that modify environmental policies, focusing on relaxing vehicle regulations and reversing incentive measures toward electric vehicles (EVs). According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, fossil fuel-powered vehicles are a major source of air pollution, emitting pollutants that negatively affect human health. The organization also notes that these emissions disproportionately affect Latino, Black, and low-income communities.
Impact on vehicle pollution
Recent policies implemented by the Trump administration have revoked some of the strictest vehicle pollution standards in U.S. history. These regulations, established during previous administrations, were intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. For example, in December 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized national standards to reduce smog and soot emissions from heavy-duty trucks beginning with the 2027 model year, representing the first update in more than 20 years.
The analysis “Inequity in the Consumption of Goods and Services Exacerbates Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Exposure to Air Pollution” published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) found that white people experience 17% less air pollution than they produce, while Black and Hispanic populations are exposed to 56% and 63% more pollution, respectively, compared to what they generate.
Additionally, recent data indicate that 16.8 million Hispanics live in counties that received failing grades for harmful air pollution. According to a report by the American Lung Association, exposure to pollutants such as fine particulate matter is linked to respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease and premature deaths. This situation affects more those who live near highways or industrial areas, where minority communities are often overrepresented.
Changes in electric vehicle policies
Trump also eliminated federal funding for EV charging infrastructure and canceled goals that sought to have EVs account for 50% of new car sales by 2030. While these measures could be seen as promoting “consumer choice,” they could also limit access to less polluting technologies, contributing to high levels of vehicle emissions.
“We suffer, lose and squander opportunities by taking these types of actions,” said Max Boykoff, professor and chair of the environmental studies department at the University of Colorado Boulder. “Other nations will be able to step up and fill that gap. Chinese companies are already outpacing the US market for electric vehicles, and they are ready to do more,” Boykoff explained.
Political and regulatory context
According to the White House, these actions seek to “unlock the potential of America’s energy resources” and reduce energy costs for citizens. However, these measures take place in a context where purchases of electric and hybrid vehicles have reached a record 20% of new car sales in the US last year, according to CNBC. In addition, an analysis by S&P Global projects that by 2030, more than 1 in 4 new passenger cars sold worldwide will be electric. Since 2018, sales of electric vehicles have grown six fold, according to the International Energy Agency, reflecting a global trend towards the adoption of cleaner technologies that could contrast with the approach of these policies.
