The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a bold step in its mission to roll back regulations that critics argue have made vehicle ownership increasingly unaffordable for low-income and minority communities. Under the leadership of Administrator Lee Zeldin, the agency is proposing the repeal of new tailpipe emissions standards that were part of the Biden administration’s push to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). These regulations, which would have added an estimated $2,100 to the purchase cost of new gasoline-powered vehicles, are seen by some as an undue financial burden on consumers, particularly in communities that rely on affordable transportation for economic mobility and access to essential services.
Zeldin, one of Trump’s most vocal appointees, has faced sharp criticism from environmental advocates over the years for his stance on climate change and environmental protection. However, the proposed repeal of Biden-era regulations has sparked a new narrative, with some calling him a