Sept. 28, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Plug In America condemns the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) final rule that weakened fuel economy standards, calling it a costly step in the wrong direction at a challenging time.
“Weakening vehicle fuel efficiency requirements at a time when the Iran war has already burdened U.S. drivers with over $100 billion in additional fuel costs deepens an affordability crisis,” said Joel Levin, Executive Director at Plug In America.
Ironically, the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards were created by Congress over 50 years ago to provide relief from oil price shocks similar to those we are experiencing today.
Gasoline is averaging $4.48 a gallon nationwide, the highest ever recorded for this time of year, and more than a dollar above a year ago. Diesel prices have reached an all-time record. Families are feeling the pain of this affordability crisis not only at the pump, but also on all consumer goods that rely on diesel for transport. Rather than leaning into cleaner, more efficient, and more affordable vehicles like EVs, NHTSA has deliberately chosen to roll back standards and increase families’ dependence on less efficient gasoline vehicles.
“Drivers are being squeezed at the pump, and the response from Washington is to make it harder for them to buy vehicles that use electricity or less fuel,” Levin said. “When prices at the pump are this volatile, efficiency is the best protection a family has. This rule shifts costs from the showroom to the gas station, ultimately costing households thousands more in gasoline.”
The rule resets standards for vehicle model years 2022–2031. NHTSA estimates that the new standards correspond to an industry-wide average of roughly 34.9 mpg in 2031, compared with about 50 mpg under the standards they replace. In addition, the final rule eliminated credit trading by electric vehicle manufacturers, setting the U.S. auto industry even further behind in the accelerating global shift to electric transportation.
The rollback also runs counter to the market. Drivers are choosing more efficient vehicles in growing numbers, and hybrid vehicles and affordable used electric vehicles recently reached record market share. Standards that give automakers stable targets bolster clean-vehicle demand and American manufacturers, allowing them to compete globally.
About Plug In America
Plug In America is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States through education, advocacy and research. Formed in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information to consumers and dealerships about EVs through various programs, including National Drive Electric Month, Drive Electric Earth Month, PlugStar.com, and other public outreach events. Learn more at PlugInAmerica.org.
Media Contact: Lindsey Perkins
