Trump Says He Ended ‘EV Mandate.’ What does that mean?

From the campaign way, President Donald Trump he was consistent: He will “end electric car responsibility.” So the words are not surprising it has been discovered in executive orders he signed on Monday, just hours after being sworn in.

Here’s the catch: The US has never had an EV mandate, or any kind of law or regulation want American consumers to go electronic. Instead, previous administrations have tried to create a series of carrots and sticks designed to make electric cars more attractive to both the manufacturers who make them and the people who buy them. The executive order that was passed yesterday attempts to put an end to all of this.

But it’s difficult. Experts say the plan’s impact is unclear and may take time to resolve. The electric car parts of the system seem more about communication than immediate results. “A lot of it shows the intent of the administration,” says Timothy Johnson, a professor of energy and the environment at the Duke Nicholas School of the Environment. “It is unclear what the authorities will do immediately.”

Meanwhile, car manufacturers will continue to make and sell electric cars, and consumers will continue to buy them. Some of the stricter emissions standards begin at the end of 2026, and it usually takes manufacturers five years to prepare and develop a car, which means that cars that comply with the upcoming regulations must be built and sold.

Automakers in the US and around the world have already backed off some of their EV-related promises, but electric cars are still coming. The long-term future of the US auto industry is unclear. Some governments are still pursuing EV-friendly policies, and critics are warning that they will be watched increasing pressure on the Chinese auto industry to go through the transition.

One thing is clear about the future of EVs in the United States: There will be lawsuits.

Incoming Reports

Monday’s order requires US agencies to review their regulations regarding EVs and determine whether they are “burdensome” and distorting consumer choice. The agencies must document their findings in reports, which are due within 30 days.

From there, federal officials begin to grind, says Kathy Harris, who oversees the clean car program at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “If the organization wants to abolish the law, it must follow the public policy,” he says. That means publishing new rules, taking public comments, going back and forth with companies, and publishing those comments. Many documents remain between the Trump administration and the finalization of any EV-related programs.

A clear way for the White House to loosen regulations for automakers to produce more EVs will be to focus on better fuel efficiency and fuel efficiency. This requires manufacturers to achieve maximum gas mileage for all vehicles they produce in the coming years and reduce emissions. One of the easiest ways for automakers to meet those goals is to sell more electric cars, which don’t use air or emit any tailpipe emissions. The last time Trump was in office, it took more than three years for his administration to replace Obama-era oil. This time, organizations can be more efficient and can change the rules more quickly, Harris says. However, this process can take months and months.