NHTSA Moves to Gut Fuel Economy Rules
Trump administration’s plan would mean drivers pay more at the pump—and the oil industry gets a windfall.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) proposed gutting fuel economy standards for cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks, a move that will mean higher costs for drivers at the pump.
NHTSA’s 2024 rules—which were set to raise the average vehicle’s fuel efficiency to 50.4 miles per gallon by 2031—were forecast to save Americans $23 billion in fuel costs and reduce gasoline consumption by 70 billion gallons.
The following is a statement from Kathy Harris, director for clean vehicles at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):
“The Trump administration is sticking drivers with higher costs at the pump, all to benefit the oil industry. That’s the last thing cash-strapped consumers can afford right now.
“Drivers will be paying hundreds of dollars more at the pump every year if these rules are put in place. That’s only good news for Big Oil, which has been given handouts time and time again by this administration.
“Gas guzzlers aren’t good for America. They are bad for our health, bad for our climate, bad for our national security—and horrible for our pocketbooks. Gutting fuel economy under the pretense of safety and affordability is a cruel joke for American drivers.”
Background
Since they first began during the oil crisis in 1975, fuel economy standards have saved more than two trillion gallons of gasoline, enough to run every car and pickup truck in the United States for more than 15 years. The average vehicle in the early 1970s got 13 miles per gallon. Thanks to fuel economy standards, it’s now more than 30 mpg. NHTSA is required by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to set “maximum feasible” fuel-economy standards.
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).