# Trump weakens fuel efficiency rules for cars

> The administration finalizes a plan to lower fuel economy standards, reversing Biden-era rules and drawing criticism from health and environmental groups.
- Title: Trump weakens fuel efficiency rules for cars · The Verge
- Summary: The administration finalizes a plan to lower fuel economy standards, reversing Biden-era rules and drawing criticism from health and environmental groups…
- Keywords: trump administration, fuel efficiency standards, environmental regulation, automobiles, deregulation, climate policy, technology, culture, Trump, weakens, fuel, efficiency
- Source: The Verge — https://theverge.com/news/1001610/trump-weakens-fuel-efficiency-standards
- Author: Justine Calma
- Published: 2026-09-28T18:39:50+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: trump administration, fuel efficiency standards, environmental regulation, automobiles, deregulation, climate policy, technology, culture
## Trump administration weakens fuel standards
The US Department of Transportation finalized plans today to weaken fuel efficiency standards, calling it among the largest deregulatory actions under the second Trump Administration.
## New rule cuts fuel economy target sharply
Trump's plan requires thirty four point nine miles per gallon by model year twenty thirty-one, down from Biden-era standards that would have required fifty point four miles per gallon.
## Administration claims cost savings for buyers
The Trump administration claims its plan would shave one thousand three hundred dollars off the average cost of a new vehicle, saving one hundred thirty-eight billion dollars over the next five years.
## Automakers support, critics oppose the rule
Automakers are happy with the new rules. Consumer advocacy, health, and environmental groups argue weaker standards will increase fuel costs for Americans and cause healthcare and climate damages.
## Biden standards would have saved drivers money
The Biden administration's standards that Trump reversed were expected to save twenty-three billion dollars in fuel costs and a car owner more than six hundred dollars in gasoline over the lifetime of a vehicle.
## Lung Association warns of air quality impact
Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association, said fuel economy standards have ensured cars are more efficient, saving lives and money, with no reason to weaken technologically feasible standards.

> There is no reason to weaken standards that are technologically feasible and have a direct benefit for the quality of the air people breathe.
## Key takeaway

The Trump administration finalized weaker fuel efficiency standards requiring thirty four point nine miles per gallon by model year twenty thirty-one, down from Biden-era targets of fifty point four miles per gallon, prompting criticism from consumer and environmental groups.