The US Department of Transportation finalizes new lower fuel efficiency standards for vehicles
On September 28, 2026, the US Department of Transportation finalized a rule to reduce fuel economy requirements for cars. This policy replaces previous targets that aimed for much higher mileage, marking a significant shift in federal environmental and automotive regulations under the second Trump Administration.
According to The Verge, the new regulation lowers the required fleet average fuel economy to 34.9 miles per gallon. This replaces the Biden-era standards, which were intended to reach 50.4 miles per gallon by the 2031 model year. The new target is only slightly higher than the 30.1 miles per gallon goal that was in place for the 2024 model year.
The Trump administration describes this move as one of its most significant deregulatory actions. The administration claims that implementing these lower standards would reduce the average cost of a new vehicle by $1,300.
Source: Trump finalizes rule to make cars less fuel efficient
