
policy-and-environment35.155 min read
DOT Finalizes 'Freedom Means Affordable Cars' Rule, Setting 2031 Fuel Economy Target at 34.9 MPG
9 hours ago•Source: The Verge
The latest policy and environment stories, each synthesized from multiple sources with added background and context.


President Trump approved new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards on September 26, 2026, replacing Biden-era rules that required 50.4 mpg by 2031. The new targets lower efficiency requirements to 34.5 mpg, effectively ending federal mandates for electric vehicle adoption. While the move aims to lower car prices and boost domestic manufacturing, critics argue it weakens U.S. competitiveness against global EV trends.