Skip to content
Ars Technica·

🚗Federal Rollback: CAFE Standards Drop to 34.9 mpg by 2031

CAFE Standards Rollback: 34.9 mpg by 2031

TL;DR

The federal government has rolled back CAFE standards to 34.9 mpg by 2031, reversing progress made in 2020. This move discourages economical vehicles and could impact fuel prices and vehicle efficiency.

The federal government has rolled back Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to 34.9 mpg by 2031, a significant drop from previous goals. This rollback affects the automotive industry, potentially making it harder for families to afford fuel-efficient vehicles as prices climb. The new rule tightens the light truck loophole and stops using emissions credits, impacting automakers' fleet averages and investment in cleaner technology. The Obama administration's 2012 standards aimed for 54 mpg by 2025, but the new rule reverses this progress, potentially leaving American industry behind in the global auto market. If you're in the market for a new car, pay attention to these changes.

Federal Rollback: CAFE Standards Drop to 34.9 mpg by 2031 — Ars Technica

Key Points

1

New CAFE standards set 34.9 mpg by 2031, reversing 2020 goals.

2

Emissions credits will no longer be used from model year 2028.

3

Plug-in vehicles will no longer be included in fleet averages.

4

Light truck loophole tightened, changing classification criteria in 2030.

5

Obama's 2012 standards aimed for 54 mpg by 2025, now rolled back.

Why It Matters

If you're in the market for a new car, the rollback to 34.9 mpg by 2031 could mean higher fuel costs and fewer fuel-efficient options. Automakers will likely shift focus away from cleaner technology, impacting the global auto market and leaving American industry behind. Families struggling with rising transportation costs will face even tougher choices.

CAFE standardsfuel economyautomotive industryregulationsenvironmental impact

Comments

Subscribe to join the conversation...

Be the first to comment

Enjoyed this article?

Get it daily. 7am. Free. Reads in 5 minutes.

Join 3,549 builders reading daily.

Also get