--- title: "What the Ongoing ‘Deregulation’ of Auto Emissions Really Means—If Anything" date: "2026-09-28" modified: "2026-09-28" authors: - name: "Byron Hurd" job_title: "Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/byron-hurd.md" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/what-the-ongoing-deregulation-of-auto-emissions-really-means-if-anything" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Manufacturing" - "News" --- # What the Ongoing ‘Deregulation’ of Auto Emissions Really Means—If Anything ![Audi RS 2 Exhaust Outlet]() The U.S. government will finalize plans for [a new suite of far less-ambitious automotive emissions standards]() Monday, capping what the administration has [touted]() as one of the greatest automotive de-regulatory pushes in the nation's history. That last bit may be accurate, technically speaking, but despite the grandiose language, what it actually means for most car buyers right now is approximately diddly squat. There are two main reasons why. First, the carrot. We live in a complex global economy, and federal emissions standards are only one piece of a much more complex regulatory climate (if you'll forgive an unintended pun). Something legal at the federal level may still be illegal in a CARB state, let alone a foreign country. This forces automakers to make an uncomfortable decision: A) Produce one car that satisfies all markets, or B) Build multiple, region-specific models to best exploit each individual microclimate. America's current political instability makes this decision even more fraught. Choices based on today's regulations may have dire consequences tomorrow; look no further than the EV subsidy rug-pull if you need evidence. Nine times out of 10, they're going with option A. Why? If you've paid attention to manufacturing and marketing trends in the industry, you know automakers have moved away from à la carte options in favor of bundling desirable features into larger trims and packages. That stuffing accomplishes two things: it lets automakers justify gouging customers for the options they actually want by giving them a bunch they don't, and it reduces the number of distinct ways a car can be built. Reducing the number of configurations an automaker has to build is a huge win for manufacturing efficiency. Put another way, choice = bad; efficiency = good. So, that eliminates the carrot. Now, what's the stick? Well, that's the thing. Right now, there *isn't* one. Oh, sure, federal emissions standards exist on paper, but CAFE has been rendered impotent because the EPA is [no longer empowered to collect fines from those who exceed prescribed limits](). Violating the standards may still be illegal, but accountability has been eliminated from the equation. Until that changes, any new U.S. emissions regulation (or de-regulation) is meaningless—just like [any promise of reduced cost for consumers](). *Got a story tip? Let us know at tips@thedrive.com!* ## Author Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories. He brings a light, punchy style to all of his content, believing that there's plenty out there to be laughed at—himself included. Born and raised in Maryland but now based just a stone's throw from Detroit, Byron is an auto enthusiast and generalist who enjoys building and tinkering with things of all kinds, from cars, computers and digital cityscapes, to the new garage that will soon house his fleet (a CT4-V Blackwing, a JK Wrangler and an NA Miata). Inspired by an early love of rollercoasters, Byron quickly caught the high-performance driving itch. He's been tracking and auto-crossing his cars since 2007. In his downtime, Byron enjoys reading, playing city builders, and studying the history of the Motor City. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()