# US finalizes lower fuel economy targets for automakers

_Published Monday, September 28, 2026 at 3:07 PM EDT · Policy, Products · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![President Donald Trump makes an announcement at the White House — Primary](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/gettyimages-2250207971.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C10.732984293194%2C100%2C78.534031413613&w=1200)

The US Department of Transportation finalized a rule setting a fleet average fuel economy target of 34.9 miles per gallon for model year 2031, replacing a Biden-era target of 50.4 miles per gallon. The change lowers the efficiency standard automakers must meet across their vehicle fleets.

The Trump administration says the rule will reduce the average price of a new vehicle by $1,300 and save $138 billion over five years, though those estimates are disputed. Consumer and health groups argue that weaker standards will raise fuel spending and air pollution.

## Sources

- [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/news/1001610/trump-weakens-fuel-efficiency-standards)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/hPDJiJKcz8MqnPi3s30GPt
Published: 2026-09-28T19:07:53.595Z
Story chronology: 2026-09-28T18:39:50.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T20:48:36.889Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)