USDOT and NHTSA Set New Fuel Economy Standards for 2027-2031 Vehicles

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has revealed new vehicle fuel economy standards for vehicle model years 2027-2031 including electric vehicles (EVs).

New Fuel Economy Standards

NHTSA worked in close collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure alignment with emissions standards for similar vehicle fleets while minimizing compliance costs. In detail, passenger cars will now see a 2% annual increase in fuel economy for model years 2027-2031 under the new and final Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) rule. In addition, light trucks will also see a similar 2% yearly improvement for model years 2029-2031.

Furthermore, these new standards are focused on elevating the average light-duty vehicle fuel economy to around 50.4 miles per gallon (mpg) by model year 2031. This results in delivering substantial savings to vehicle owners estimated at over $600 in fuel costs over the vehicle’s lifetime according to NHTSA.

As for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), heavy-duty pickup trucks and van (HDPUV) fuel efficiency standards will also see a 10% per year increase for model years 2030-2032 and an 8% per year rise for model years 2033-2035. By model year 2035, the fleetwide average fuel efficiency for HDPUV is projected to reach around 35 mpg. As a result, this brings savings of over $700 in fuel expenses over the vehicle’s lifetime.

Potential Future Savings

Interestingly, the NHTSA estimates that the new standards will save almost 70 billion gallons of gasoline through 2050, thereby preventing more than 710 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.

NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman emphasized the savings advantages of these new standards stating. “These new fuel economy standards will save our nation billions of dollars, help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and make our air cleaner for everyone. Americans will enjoy the benefits of this rule for decades to come.” 

As the automotive industry continues to evolve, the implementation of these standards underlines the U.S. dedication to enhancing efforts toward energy conservation and environmental sustainability while yielding significant environmental benefits. As the acceleration to electric mobility continues, these efforts are noted as they align with EVs sustaining the environment.

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