Roughly a month after the EPA proposed new standards for truck emissions, the U.S. Department of Transportation published the next changes to fuel-efficiency regulations for light trucks and passenger cars. In an April 1 update to Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, OEMs will be required to maintain a fleet with at least 49 miles per gallon by 2026.
According to different government agencies, the latest slate of regulations is likely to cost car buyers more money, but save consumers money on gas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration projected the changes would raise the price of a new car by just over $1,000 by 2029, but that fuel savings would allow for about $1,400 in expenses over the lifetime of the newer vehicles.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, in a statement, said the regulations would save drivers on gas as well as insulate the U.S. economy from volatile gas prices. “Today’s rule means that American families will be able to driver farther before they have to fill up, saving hundreds of dollars per year,” he said. “These improvements will make our country less vulnerable to global shifts in the price of oil, and protect communities by reducing carbon emissions by 2.5 billion metric tons.”
