US finalizes lower fuel economy standards, boosting gas-powered vehicles
XLY•The Transportation Department finalized fleetwide fuel economy standards of 34.9 miles per gallon by 2031, down from 50.4 under the Biden administration. The department estimates the new standards will lower vehicle costs but increase fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions for decades.
1. New standards finalized
The Trump administration finalized lower vehicle fuel economy standards, making it easier for automakers to sell gas-powered vehicles and reversing the Biden administration’s push for more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Transportation Department set a fleetwide average of 34.9 miles per gallon by 2031, compared with 50.4 under the previous standards.
2. Industry and environmental reactions
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation said the government made the right call to align standards with the law and market conditions, and said the Biden rules were out of step with customer demand. The Sierra Club said it would fight the rollback, arguing it would leave families facing costs at the pump and harm their health.
