Trump administration lowers fuel economy standards, critics say at a significant environmental cost
The rule lowers the fleetwide target to 34.9 miles per gallon by 2031 and could add 22,111 tons of carbon dioxide a year, officials said.
- On Monday, the Trump administration finalized new vehicle fuel economy standards, requiring a fleet-wide average of 34.9 mpg by 2031, down from the previous 50.4 mpg goal under the Biden administration.
- Reversing the Biden administration's 2024 mandate, the new policy aims to align standards with market realities, addressing claims that previous rules forced automakers to produce expensive models consumers did not want.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated the ruling will cut average new car costs by $1,300 and collectively save Americans $138 billion over five years, while preventing over 300,000 serious injuries.
- The Alliance for Automotive Innovation welcomed the move as necessary, though the Sierra Club denounced the rollback, stating it gives automakers a "free pass on pollution" and harms public health.
- Beyond the mpg adjustments, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will scrap the CAFE credit trading program starting in 2028, a significant policy change amid fuel price volatility.
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Trump administration rolls back fuel economy standards for automakers: What to know
A Tesla Supercharger electric vehicle charging station is seen in Ohio, Aug. 4, 2026. (Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images) (WASHINGTON) — The Department of Transportation is easing fuel economy standards that were put in place during the
The government relaxes standards of vehicle efficiency, reducing consumption standards. Environmentalists criticize the impact on emissions. Manufacturers celebrate the measure, claiming alignment with the market. It will increase access to vehicles, but more emissions and spending on gasoline are expected.
Trump Administration Guts Mile-Per-Gallon Auto Rule
President Trump’s Department of Transportation today finalized a rule gutting Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, standards, which conserve billions of gallons of gas and save consumers billions at the pump.Trump’s action is illegal because the law requires that the fuel economy standards be set at the “maximum feasible” level. The final rule ignores the feasibility of clean technology and the millions of fuel-efficient cars already on the …
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