Finalizes new lower fuel economy standards in boost for gas-powered vehicles

The Trump administration finalized new, lower fuel-economy standards for U.S. vehicles on Monday, reversing a Biden-era push toward stricter efficiency requirements. The Transportation Department said it will set a fleetwide average of 34.9 miles per gallon (14.7 km per liter) by 2031, down from 50.4 miles per gallon (21.4 km per liter) under rules finalized during the Biden administration. While the department expects lower costs for new vehicles, its own estimates indicate higher fuel consumption and more carbon dioxide emissions for decades. Major automakers welcomed the move, while the Sierra Club said it would challenge it.