Trump relaxes fuel consumption standards: How does it affect you?

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy finalized on Monday, September 28, 2026 a new federal rule that relaxes fuel consumption standards for automobiles and light trucks in the United States. The measure, called «Freedom Means Affordable Cars,» was officially confirmed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

What do the new fuel consumption standards establish?

The standard sets a fleet average of 34.9 miles per gallon (mpg) for model year 2031 vehicles. This figure represents an increase from the 30.1 mpg recorded in model year 2024, but falls well short of the 50.4 mpg projected under the previous Biden administration regulations.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the federal agency responsible for setting and enforcing these limits. The agency clarified that the figure of 34.9 mpg corresponds to a projection, as the actual result varies depending on the mix of vehicles each manufacturer sells.

In metric terms, the change is equivalent to going from approximately 21.4 to 14.7 kilometers per liter, as confirmed by the Department of Transportation itself. NHTSA also noted that real-world fuel efficiency is typically 20% to 30% lower than the laboratory figures reported.

What arguments did the Trump administration present?

Secretary Duffy presented the measure as economic relief for American families. «Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we have ended the illegal mandate that forced manufacturers to produce more expensive electric vehicles that American families did not ask for,» Duffy said in the official statement.

The Department of Transportation projects that the rule will reduce the average cost of a new vehicle by $1,300 for families. Additionally, it estimates cumulative savings of $138 billion for consumers over the next 5 years.

NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison argued that the rule «restores integrity to the national fuel economy program.» According to the official, the measure balances vehicle affordability with energy conservation goals.

The administration also projects that more affordable new vehicles will promote fleet renewal. The Government estimates that this could help prevent more than 300,000 serious injuries and save 1,900 lives by facilitating access to safer and newer cars.

What changes