Automakers ask Trump to reconsider car emissions standards

The heads of several major automakers are asking President Trump to reconsider greenhouse gas standards for vehicles instituted during the Obama administration. 

CEOs from General Motors, Ford Motor Co., Fiat Chrysler and the American arms of several international manufacturers sent Trump a letter last week asking him to change the fuel standards, Reuters reports.

The letter asked Trump to reconsider the standards “without prejudging the outcome,” and said Trump has a “personal focus on steps to strengthen the economy in the United States and your commitment to jobs in our sector.”

It said the rule “threaten[s] future production levels, putting hundreds of thousands and perhaps as many as a million jobs at risk.” Automakers also raised the issue during a meeting with Trump in January. 

{mosads}Automakers urged the Obama administration to consider weakening fuel efficiency standards that aim to achieve 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, saying Americans’ tendency to buy large vehicles makes it difficult to improve fuel efficiency industry-wide.  

A report in July concluded automakers are unlikely to hit the 54.5 mpg goal. 

In January, shortly before Trump took office, the Obama administration decided it would not change the standards, saying they will cut down on fuel costs for drivers and reduce greenhouse gases.

That move came well before the official deadline for a decision on the standards. It effectively prevents Trump from weakening the rules without going through a lengthy rulemaking process first.