WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman David Rouzer issued the following statement after the Trump Administration announced its plans to revise future Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, vans, and heavy-duty pickups.
“I applaud President Trump and Secretary Duffy for revising the previous Administration’s radical and unnecessary fuel economy mandates and their horrendous impact on working family budgets,” said Congressman David Rouzer. “The Biden-era approach forced unrealistic fuel efficiency standards on manufacturers, driving up the cost of new cars and trucks and limiting consumer choice — especially for rural families, small businesses, and farmers. The Trump Administration’s decision to recalibrate these standards based on common sense is a great step towards affordability."
Under the Biden Administration, NHTSA finalized CAFE standards that would have driven fleetwide fuel economy for new passenger cars and light trucks to roughly 50 miles per gallon by model year 2031 and significantly tightened fuel-efficiency requirements for heavy-duty pickups and vans through 2035. These mandates assumed rapid electric vehicle adoption, imposed steep compliance costs on manufacturers, and were projected to raise purchase prices for many popular gas-powered vehicles.
More from the Administration:
Under the Trump Administration’s direction, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT’s) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced intent to revise upcoming CAFE standards to better align fuel economy requirements with technological feasibility, market realities, and consumer demand. While specific numeric targets and model year requirements have not yet been finalized, the Administration has indicated that the new approach will:
Specifically, the NHTSA proposal will increase fuel economy standards by 0.5% per year for passenger cars from model years 2023 through 2026, followed by 0.35% in model year 2027, and 0.25% from model year 2029 to 2031. For light trucks, NHTSA is proposing an increase of 0.5% for model year 2023 through 2026, followed by 0.7% in model year 2027, and 0.25% from model year 2029 to 2031. NHTSA estimates these updated standards would achieve a fleet average fuel economy of 34.5 miles per gallon by model year 2031, as opposed to the roughly 50 miles per gallon the Biden Administration’s CAFE standards would have required. The Administration has indicated the new approach will:
- Reevaluate previously proposed fuel economy levels to ensure they are achievable using reasonable, cost-effective technologies.
- Consider the impact of fuel economy mandates on vehicle affordability, safety, and the availability of larger vehicles relied upon by rural communities, small businesses, farmers, and tradesmen.
- Provide greater regulatory certainty and predictability for automakers and suppliers so they can invest in new technologies and American jobs without constantly shifting mandates.
- Maintain strong environmental protections while allowing a broader range of vehicles and powertrains—gas, diesel, hybrid, and other emerging technologies—to compete and innovate.
- Fully utilize the public notice and comment process so states, consumers, and industry stakeholders can provide meaningful input before a final rule is issued.
When finalized, the updated CAFE rule is expected to provide a more balanced framework that improves fuel efficiency over time while avoiding the steep cost increases and market distortions associated with the prior administration’s rule.
