Trump Administration to Weaken Fuel Economy Standards for Cars, Trucks

The Trump administration plans to release new fuel economy standards on Monday that relax requirements for automakers to control pollution from gasoline-powered cars and light trucks. President Trump said the less stringent mileage rules would reduce manufacturing costs and save families thousands of dollars on new vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration projected last December that the new standards would set the industry fleetwide average at roughly 34.5 miles per gallon for the 2031 model year. That figure is down from a projected 50.4 mpg under rules established by the Biden administration.

“The less stringent mileage requirements would 'take the waste out of building cars in America' and save families 'thousands on a new, beautiful and safe car.'”

Since taking office, President Trump has relaxed tailpipe emissions rules, repealed fines for automakers missing federal mileage targets, and terminated consumer tax credits of up to $7,500 for electric vehicle purchases. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the announcement would come Monday.

The White House, the Department of Transportation, and NHTSA did not immediately provide details on the new standards. General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford Motor also did not immediately comment. The administration says the changes will expand access to affordable gasoline vehicles.

The average new car price reached $50,089 in August, crossing the $50,000 threshold for the first time since December, according to Kelley Blue Book. Meanwhile, the national average gasoline price hit $4.47 per gallon on Sunday, up from $4.09 a month earlier, as tensions with Iran disrupt global fuel supplies.