Trump Administration Eases Biden-Era Bus Emissions Standards

The Trump administration is rolling back a Biden-era policy that required buses to meet strict low or no emission standards, making it harder and more expensive to build buses. Under Joe Biden’s administration, the Federal Transit Administration mandated that grant recipients of a $1.5 billion program adhere to these standards. However, on Friday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the department will now “consider” exceptions and expand options for grant recipients, paving the way to potentially remove the low/no emission requirement entirely.
Duffy criticized the Biden-Buttigieg Green New Deal Agenda, stating that it burdened transit operators with inefficient and expensive rules. “Both sides of the aisle are united against this agenda,” Duffy said, emphasizing the need to prioritize American energy and reliable transportation.
The move aligns with Trump’s earlier actions, including his executive order to terminate the Green New Deal. Duffy has reportedly heard bipartisan complaints about the Biden requirements, particularly regarding the limitations of zero-emission technology. Federal Transit Administration senior adviser Marc Molinaro added that the purpose of the grants is to meet public demand, not impose ideology on manufacturers and transit providers.
Grant recipients can now request changes to zero-emission vehicle or infrastructure projects, reflecting a broader shift away from stringent climate policies under the Trump administration.

Published: 7/26/2025