Trump administration set to roll out lower fuel economy standards for cars, light trucks, tell me about this news in (https://www.wsoctv.com/news/business/trump-administration/XAYHIPHBC475BBXBU3IL5CWYXE/)
28-09-2026
The article reports that the Trump administration is rolling out new federal fuel economy standards that significantly relax mileage and emissions requirements for automakers producing gasoline-powered cars and light trucks.
Key points from the report include:
Lower Mileage Targets: Under the revised rules, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) projected the industry-wide fleet average for light-duty vehicles to reach approximately 34.5 miles per gallon by the 2031 model year. This is a substantial reduction compared to the 50.4 mpg fleetwide target previously established under the Biden administration.
Administration’s Stance: President Trump stated that easing the rules would remove waste in domestic automotive manufacturing, save consumers money on the purchase price of new vehicles, and boost American car production. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also confirmed the rollout.
Rollback of EV Initiatives: The move aligns with broader efforts by the administration to reverse policies encouraging electric vehicle adoption, following earlier steps such as weakening tailpipe emissions rules, eliminating fines for non-compliant automakers, and ending the federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for EV purchases.
Consumer and Economic Context: The announcement comes at a time when the average price of a new car recently exceeded $50,000, while gasoline prices have climbed above $4.40 per gallon nationally amid geopolitical fuel market pressures.
Environmental Pushback: Environmental and climate advocacy groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity and the Sierra Club, criticized the move and pledged to challenge it. Critics argue that less efficient vehicles will ultimately increase fuel costs for drivers at the pump, worsen pollution, and disregard established clean vehicle technology.