Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks

The order directs the EPA Administrator to consider initiating rulemakings under the Clean Air Act to establish new multi-pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles (model years 2027–2030), new nitrogen oxide standards for heavy-duty engines (model years 2027–2030), and new greenhouse gas standards for heavy-duty vehicles starting as early as model year 2030. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to consider initiating rulemakings under the Energy Independence and Security Act to set new fuel economy standards for passenger cars, light trucks, and heavy-duty pickups and vans, also beginning with model year 2027 or 2028. The order provides target timelines for proposed and final rules and requires EPA and DOT to coordinate with each other and consult with the Departments of Commerce, Labor, and Energy, the State of California, other leading-emissions states, and diverse stakeholders including labor unions and environmental-justice organizations.

The order does not itself impose any new emissions standard, fuel economy requirement, or sales mandate. Every operative change described hinges on future agency rulemaking, which must comply with applicable law and available appropriations. The 50-percent zero-emission vehicle figure is stated as a goal in the policy section, not as a binding requirement created by this order.

Federal agencies — chiefly EPA and the Department of Transportation — that must initiate new rulemakings. Automakers and their suppliers, labor unions in the automotive sector, state environmental regulators (especially California), and ultimately consumers who buy new vehicles when future standards take effect.

Automakers and suppliers face the prospect of significantly tighter emissions and fuel economy standards across nearly every vehicle class starting in model year 2027, which shapes product investment decisions now. Consumers will ultimately see a different mix of available vehicles and fuel costs if the rulemakings proceed as targeted.

EPA and DOT work in parallel, each pursuing separate rulemakings under their respective statutes — the Clean Air Act for emissions, EISA for fuel economy. The order sets non-binding target dates: EPA should aim to publish a proposed rule on heavy-duty NOx standards by January 2022 and a final rule by December 2022; all other final rules are targeted by July 2024. Coordination with California and stakeholder consultation are required steps before final rules issue. There are no enforcement consequences specified for missing the target dates.