The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks to repeal all greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines. The proposal rescinds the agency's 2009 Endangerment Finding, which contains over $1 trillion in emissions regulations, as well as the Biden-Harris Administration’s electric vehicle (EV) mandate.
According to EPA's Administrator Lee Zeldin at a July 29, 2025, conference, the agency lacks statutory authority to address global climate change concerns under Section 202 of the Clean Air Act to prescribe standards for GHG emissions.
The proposal also cites updated scientific data that challenge the assumptions behind the 2009 finding. "Much has changed since the 2009 Endangerment Finding was issued, including new scientific and technological developments that warrant review," the release said. And in the official filing, "that no requisite technology for vehicle and engine emission control can address the global climate change concerns identified in the findings without risking greater harms to public health and welfare."
As a result of these proposed changes, engine and vehicle manufacturers would no longer have any future obligations for the measurement, control, and reporting of GHG emissions for any highway engine and vehicle, including model years manufactured prior to the proposal. The EPA, however, does intend to retain regulations for criteria pollutants and air toxic measurement and standards, Corporate Average Fuel Economy testing, and associated fuel economy labeling requirements.
The EPA will hold a virtual public hearing August 19 and 20, 2025, on the proposal. An additional session will be held on August 21, 2025 if necessary. All attendees, including those who do not intend to provide testimony, should email EPA-MobileSource-Hearings@epa.gov.by August 12.
Written comments may be submitted through September 15, 2025, to a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov. Include Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194 in the subject line.
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