Tesla asks EPA not to roll back emissions rules as Trump calls climate change a ‘con job’

Tesla has urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to maintain the existing vehicle emissions standards, diverging from the stance of several other major car manufacturers who are advocating for a relaxation of these regulations. This appeal arrives during a week marked by President Donald Trump's controversial remarks at the United Nations General Assembly, where he labeled climate change as a 'con job' and a 'scam.' In addition to defending the current standards, Tesla has also called on the EPA to uphold the Endangerment Finding, a critical 2009 legal standard that underpins many modern environmental regulations, including vehicle emissions standards. In a letter to the agency, Tesla emphasized that this finding is grounded in a robust scientific and factual foundation. Since August, the EPA has been soliciting feedback regarding proposed changes to environmental rules. Lee Zeldin, the agency's administrator, warned that if the rollbacks are enacted, it would metaphorically drive 'a dagger into the heart of the climate change religion.' Tesla's core mission revolves around 'accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy,' and the company stands to gain financially from stricter emission regulations. When traditional automakers fail to meet fleet emissions targets, they often compensate by purchasing emissions credits from companies like Tesla, which can amount to hundreds of millions of dollars. While Tesla seeks to keep the standards intact, it expressed a willingness to engage in discussions about streamlining them to ensure their continuation.