The new rules set a fuel-economy target of 34.5 miles per gallon for vehicles by the 2031 model year
US automakers will have more room to sell gas-powered vehicles under new rules approved by President Donald Trump.
The Transportation Department finalized a rule yesterday rolling back Biden-era fuel-economy standards for gasoline-powered vehicles, which had pushed automakers to produce more fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly cars and expand their electric vehicle offerings.
The rollback comes as the war in Iran sends gas prices soaring.
The Biden standards targeted average fuel efficiency of around 50 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks by 2031. The new rules set a fuel-economy target of 34.5 miles per gallon for vehicles by the 2031 model year.
Trump’s new requirements are expected to be much less demanding, but officials have not yet released the final figures.
For automakers, weaker rules could make it easier to keep producing profitable SUVs and pickup trucks, which generally consume more fuel than smaller vehicles.
The change could also slow the shift toward EVs by reducing the regulatory pressure to make them. However, some automakers, including General Motors, still plan to continue investing in EVs.