US Department of Transportation doubles down on gas, cuts fuel efficiency standards

The U.S. Department of Transportation, under the Trump administration, is proposing a reduction in fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks in model year 2031. The new standards would lower the average fuel efficiency to 34.5 miles per gallon, down from the 50.4 miles per gallon target set by the Biden administration to promote electric vehicle adoption. The move is in line with the Trump administration's efforts to reverse climate policies enacted by the previous administration. The current Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, ordered the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to review fuel efficiency standards shortly after taking office. The administration has also ended a tax credit for buying electric vehicles. While the administration claims the change will reduce the average cost of a new car by $1,000 and save $109 billion over five years, the decision could have significant long-term consequences. Experts warn that the reduced fuel efficiency standards could lead to higher gas prices and increase the financial and human costs associated with climate change-related catastrophic weather events.