New CAFE Rules Redefine 'Trucks' by Utility, Not Size
The Trump administration has finalized a major overhaul of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, replacing outdated 1975 definitions for 'light trucks' with a new performance-based metric. Starting in model year 2030, vehicles will be classified as trucks only if their combined towing and payload capacity exceeds 8,500 pounds. This change aims to close a loophole that allowed many crossovers to avoid stricter passenger car efficiency rules, potentially forcing automakers to improve fuel economy in the midsize SUV segment.