Automakers Back Trump Rollback of Fuel Economy Standards

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing major manufacturers including General Motors, Toyota, and Volkswagen, filed a brief with the 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals supporting the Trump administration's rollback of vehicle fuel economy standards. The US Transportation Department finalized a fleet-wide average of 34.9 miles per gallon by 2031, a sharp decrease from the 50.4 miles per gallon standard established under Joe Biden in 2024.

The American Petroleum Institute also filed in support of the revised rules. The Transportation Department estimates the rollback reduces manufacturer compliance costs by $1,289 per vehicle, though it projects US gasoline consumption will rise by 4.6% through 2050 and consumer fuel costs will increase by over $1,600 over a vehicle's life.

California, New York, and more than two dozen other states, cities, and counties are challenging the move in court. They are joined by a coalition of consumer and environmental groups opposing the reduction in efficiency requirements.