Trump Kills Biden Fuel-Economy Rules, Claims Price Cut.

The Trump administration finalized revised fuel economy standards, setting a 2031 target of 34.9 miles per gallon for cars and small trucks. The Department of Transportation's own analysis projects the change will raise average fuel costs for drivers by roughly $1,600.

• 34.9 mpg is the new 2031 target, down from Biden's 50.4 mpg goal.
• $1,300 is the administration's projected average savings on vehicle purchase price.
• 35.4 mpg is the current U.S. fleet average — already above the new 2031 target.
• 1 billion additional tons of greenhouse gases could result by 2050, per Environmental Defense Fund analysis.

Why it matters: The new standard is set below what automakers already achieve on average, meaning most would face no efficiency requirement for years. Environmental groups argue this violates the agency's legal mandate to set 'maximum feasible' standards.

• Andy Su of the Environmental Defense Fund said NHTSA is required by law to improve fuel economy, calling the new target inconsistent with nearly 50 years of agency practice.
• The rule also ends credit trading between automakers, eliminating a program that benefited EV-only manufacturers like Tesla and Rivian starting in 2028.

How 12 sources split on this story

Where they split: The core dispute is whether lower vehicle purchase prices offset higher lifetime fuel costs — and whether the new standard is legal given the agency's statutory duty to improve efficiency.

What’s next: The Natural Resources Defense Council signaled impending legal action, saying the rollback 'violates the law.'

• The credit-trading elimination takes effect in 2028, giving automakers a transition period.
• Will courts find the new standard unlawful given the agency's statutory obligation to set maximum feasible fuel economy goals?
• How will the credit-trading elimination affect EV manufacturers' revenue and production incentives?