Donald Trump says "now they can" on domestic vehicle production as he backs fuel-economy rules

President Donald Trump has endorsed new federal fuel-economy rules that he says will reverse an earlier government emphasis on electric vehicles, and the Transportation Department is expected Monday to approve reduced emissions limits through 2031. Trump argued existing requirements cost automakers heavily, spent money on charging equipment, and pushed consumers into cars they did not want. He said the replacement rules would reduce production expenses; the department predicts they will raise fuel use and carbon dioxide output, while Reuters reported an estimated $930 saving per average new vehicle. The proposal would set a fleet average of 34.5 mpg by 2031, down from 50.4 mpg, Reuters said. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told Reuters the change would cede clean technology advantages to China and increase costs at the pump. Trump portrayed the change as opening the way for domestic vehicle production.