Tesla has urged the Environmental Protection Agency to maintain the existing vehicle emissions regulations, setting itself apart from other leading car manufacturers who are advocating for relaxed standards. This appeal from Tesla coincides with the same week President Donald Trump—who received $300 million in support from Tesla CEO Elon Musk during his campaign—addressed the United Nations General Assembly, dismissing climate change as a “con job” and a “scam.”
Additionally, Tesla requested that the EPA preserve a 2009 legal precedent known as the Endangerment Finding, which serves as the foundation for many current environmental policies, including vehicle emissions rules. In its correspondence with the agency, Tesla described the finding as being “supported by a comprehensive body of factual and scientific evidence.”
Since August, the EPA has been collecting public input regarding these proposed changes to environmental protections. At that time, agency administrator Lee Zeldin remarked that enacting these rollbacks would “drive a dagger into the heart of the climate change religion.”
Tesla’s stated goal is to “accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.” However, the company also profits from stricter environmental laws. When rival automakers fail to meet emissions targets, they must purchase “credits” from companies like Tesla, sometimes spending hundreds of millions of dollars. (These credits originate from a California initiative that has also faced opposition from Republicans.) While Tesla is advocating for the retention of these standards, the company indicated to the EPA that it is “willing to discuss ways to simplify” the regulations to ensure their continuation.