Wed, 03 Dec 2025

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 Trump administration to roll back fuel economy rules set under Biden

Carmakers hailed the change as a victory for "common sense", while environmental groups criticised the plan.
The US government plans to relax its fuel economy rules, a move that reverses a Biden-era policy aimed at increasing the adoption of electric vehicles. The new proposal aims for an average fuel efficiency of 34.5 miles per gallon by 2031, down from the previous target of 50 miles per gallon. This change is expected to lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions and higher fuel costs for families. Environmental groups have criticized the move as a step backward for public health and the industry's development towards cleaner vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims that the prior standards were not achievable and drove up costs for car buyers. However, environmental groups argue that this is just an excuse to favor the oil industry over clean energy. The change has been welcomed by some in the automotive sector, with Ford CEO Jim Farley calling it a "victory of common sense". Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US, accounting for over 28% of total emissions. The Biden administration's previous policy aimed to reduce dependence on foreign oil, help car owners save on fuel costs, and combat pollution. However, some carmakers had expressed concerns that meeting the target would require a significant increase in electric vehicle sales. The plan is still subject to a formal rule-making process and faces criticism from environmental groups who argue it will lead to more emissions and higher fuel costs for families.
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