EPA Proposes to Delay Unattainable Biden-era Vehicle Standards, Projecting $1.7 Billion in Savings
May 14, 2026
Contact Information
EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)
WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin proposed another massive deregulatory action to restore consumer choice and make vehicles more affordable for all American families. EPA is proposing to delay the compliance deadlines for Biden-era emission standards for light-and medium-duty vehicles for two years until model year (MY) 2029 following the shift away from electric vehicles (EVs) after Americans overwhelmingly rejected the vehicles and auto companies have lost billions investing in them. EPA’s action is projected to save over $1.7 billion, providing hundreds of dollars saved per vehicle for American families.
“Freedom is the foundation of this nation, and this includes the freedom to choose the car you drive. The American people have been very clear; they do not want EVs forced upon them,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin. “This proposal aims to return EPA regulations to reality, restoring consumer choice, protecting good paying American jobs, and strengthening the nation’s global competitiveness while the agency works to reconsider the Tier 4 standards.”
The 2024 Tier 4 emissions standards for criteria pollutants were based on faulty assumptions by the Biden Administration that EVs would make up a significant percentage of MY 2027 and beyond fleets, causing the administration to set unrealistic emission standards for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. In the intervening years since the Biden-Harris Administration established the 2024 Tier 4 emission standards, the assumptions about the trajectory of EVs have not come true. This makes the Tier 4 standards unattainable for manufacturers and drives up the cost of vehicles as they try to comply.
In response to low consumer appetite for EVs, and federal changes ending avenues used to force EVs onto Americans—including the Congressional Review Act disapproval of three California vehicle emission waivers—many major automakers are reducing their EV fleets and developments. Recently, General Motors announced a $4 billion investment to boost ICE vehicle production and a further “$6 billion charge to unwind some [EV] investments.” Similarly, Ford cancelled plans for electric SUVs and Stellantis announced it was scrapping its plug-in EV lineup, citing waning customer demand.
If finalized, manufacturers would continue to comply with the well-established and highly effective Tier 3 standards, which currently deliver substantial emissions reductions of up to 80 percent, for MY 2027 and MY 2028 vehicles. This would give adequate lead time for manufacturers to phase in Tier 4 standards with MY 2029 fleets that better fit consumer demand for less EVs.
Today’s announcement is Part 1 of a comprehensive review of the Tier 4 standards as EPA works to protect and bring back American auto jobs and fulfill President Trump’s agenda. In Part 2, EPA plans to reconsider the Tier 4 program, which may include proposed changes to the Tier 4 standards, implementation dates, phase-in schedules, and test procedures. EPA is committed to ensuring human health and the environment are at the forefront of all of the agency’s rulemaking, while also ensuring rules are practical for implementation by stakeholders.
EPA will hold a 45-day public comment period on today’s proposal. For more information, please visit EPA’s website here.
Background
Today’s announcement builds on the major vehicle and equipment wins delivered by Administrator Zeldin in his first year. On February 12, 2026, alongside President Trump, Administrator Zeldin announced the single largest deregulatory action in U.S. history with the repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding and all vehicle greenhouse gas regulations. In addition to saving American taxpayers $1.3 trillion, the final rule ended all off-cycle credits and eliminated EPA incentives for the start-stop button.
In early 2025, EPA transmitted to Congress three emission waivers granted to California by the Biden Administration. In June 2025, all Congressional Review Act resolutions disapproving the vehicle emission waivers were signed into law by President Trump, repealing EV mandates and restoring consumer choice.
The agency is also making great strides in addressing Diesel Exhaust Fluid issues harming American truckers and farmers and advancing Americans’ Right to Repair for nonroad diesel equipment.
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