President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy have rolled out a new initiative aimed at resetting fuel economy standards, dubbed the “Freedom Means Affordable Cars” proposal. According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Transportation, this move seeks to counteract what the administration claims were illegal actions by the Biden-Buttigieg administration that exceeded Congress' mandated requirements.
Claiming to prioritize consumer desires and affordability, the Trump administration suggests the revised standards will save U.S. families an estimated $109 billion over five years, along with reducing the average cost of a new vehicle by $1,000. "Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg illegally twisted mileage standards to create an electric vehicle mandate — jacking up car prices for American families and forcing manufacturers to produce vehicles no one wanted," Secretary Duffy was quoted as saying, reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The proposed rule changes are for passenger cars and light trucks in the model years 2022-2031. NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison said in a statement, "Restoring reasonable fuel economy standards will also save lives and make our roads safer," emphasizing a belief that more affordable vehicles will lead to more families being able to purchase newer, safer cars. As part of the rule, NHTSA's fuel economy standards would see modest yearly increases, culminating in an estimated fleet average of 34.5 miles per gallon by 2031. A critical change specified by the initiative is the elimination of the CAFE credit trading program beginning in model year 2028, an action intended to dismantle what they consider to be an unfair advantage to the EV industry, as noted by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The initiative also has a controversial aspect, which involves reclassifying crossovers and small SUVs as passenger automobiles rather than light trucks, a maneuver that could shake up long-standing market classifications. The Trump administration justifies this by asserting it aligns more closely with congressional intent. For those interested in voicing their opinions on these proposed regulations, there will be a 45-day public comment period once the proposal is published in the Federal Register, with a public hearing to be scheduled. The full range of alternatives and standards is up for discussion as NHTSA seeks feedback on this impactful regulatory shift.
