Politics
US Department of Transportation prepares to lower future vehicle fuel economy targets
A proposed rule change would lower the 2031 target average fuel economy from 50.4 mpg to 34.5 mpg.
The short version
- The Department of Transportation is preparing to announce revised Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards.
- The proposal lowers the 2031 fleet target from 50.4 mpg to 34.5 mpg, reducing required fuel efficiency by about 45%.
- Agency analyses project higher consumer fuel spending and increased carbon emissions under the revised targets.
Key facts
- Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that revised fuel economy standards are set to be announced.[Electrek]
- The proposed rule lowers the 2031 target average fuel economy from 50.4 mpg down to 34.5 mpg.[Electrek]
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the proposed reduction would increase overall fuel costs by $185 billion and raise carbon emissions by 5 percent.[Electrek]
- A Department of Energy analysis cited in reporting estimated that broader energy proposals could raise gasoline prices by 76 cents per gallon.[Electrek]
- The public comment period on the proposal yielded 68,294 submissions, with a reported majority opposing the rollback.[Electrek]