Trump administration rolls back Biden-era fuel economy standards
Updated on: September 28, 2026 / 4:04 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- The Trump administration has implemented new fuel economy standards, weakening regulations previously set by the Biden administration.
- These new standards are projected to result in a fleetwide average of 34.9 miles per gallon by 2031, significantly lower than the previous projection of 50.4 mpg.
- The Department of Transportation estimates the new rule will lower the upfront cost of new vehicles by $1,300 and save Americans $138 billion over five years.
- Industry groups like the Alliance for Automotive Innovation support the weaker standards, stating they align better with market realities and consumer demand.
- Skeptics, including auto industry experts, question whether car prices will actually decrease and suggest the weaker standards might be temporary.
- Environmental groups criticize the rollback, warning of increased fuel consumption, higher costs at the pump, and greater air pollution.