The Trump administration on Wednesday moved to significantly scale back federal fuel economy requirements for cars and trucks, proposing a new set of standards that would roll back rules adopted under President Biden and reshape the nation’s approach to reducing vehicle emissions.
The plan, unveiled at a White House event, directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to relax Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards that have governed vehicle mileage requirements since 1975. Under the proposal, automakers would need to meet an industry average of roughly 34.5 miles per gallon for light-duty vehicles by the 2031 model year—far lower than the 50 mpg target set under the Biden administration’s 2024 rule.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said earlier regulations imposed steep and unrealistic technological demands on automakers, contributing to higher vehicle prices. The administration argues that easing the standards will lower manufacturing costs and help more families afford newer vehicles. Federal officials estimate the proposal could save American households about $1,000 per new car and deliver $109 billion in total savings over five years.
Support from automakers followed quickly. Stellantis’ CEO said the shift would better align federal rules with market conditions, while General Motors praised the proposal as a step toward a unified national standard. Industry leaders have long contended that aggressive fuel efficiency mandates increased production costs and conflicted with consumer preferences, particularly as EV adoption slowed.
The proposal, however, reverses a Biden-era strategy designed to reduce emissions, cut fuel spending and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. Previous federal analyses found that stricter mileage standards would prevent billions in fuel costs and curb pollution from one of the nation’s largest sources of carbon emissions.
Environmental groups condemned the rollback, warning that weaker standards would increase oil consumption, undercut U.S. competitiveness in clean technology and stall progress in combating climate change. Critics also note that lighter regulations could slow the introduction of more efficient vehicle models and reduce pressure on automakers to innovate.
The proposal now enters a formal rulemaking process, including a period of public comment, before it can be finalized. Any changes are unlikely to affect car prices or model planning immediately, as automakers typically operate years ahead in their design and production cycles.
Source: CBS News