U.S. Transportation Department Issues New Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Proposal
On July 28, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a proposed regulation that, if implemented, would update fuel economy standards for passenger cars, heavy-duty pickup trucks, work vans, and light trucks.
The proposal includes a two percent per year improvement in fuel efficiency for passenger cars and a four percent per year improvement for light trucks, beginning in model year 2027 and increasing through model year 2032. If met, these markers would put vehicle makers on a path to reach an average fleet fuel economy of 58 miles per gallon by 2032.
NHTSA’s rule also includes a ten percent improvement per year for commercial pickup trucks and work vans (with gross vehicle weight ratings of more than 8,500 pounds and less than 14,001 pounds) beginning in model year 2030 and increasing through model year 2035.
NHTSA will accept comments on the proposal from the public for 60 days. More information about how to submit comments is below.
NHTSA noted its proposed standards “complement and align” with the Environmental Protection Agency’s draft emissions standards for similar vehicle fleets. Though in writing its proposal NHTSA did not take electric and other alternative fuels into account, manufacturers would be able to use all available technologies, including advanced internal combustion engines, hybrid technologies, and electric vehicles, in their efforts to comply with the rule.
NHTSA said it would like to hear from the public “on the full range of standards from the no-action alternative to the most stringent alternative modeled, including comment on combinations of standards that may not be explicitly identified in the proposal.”
NHTSA will hold one virtual public hearing during its public comment period. The agency will announce the specific date and web address for the hearing in a supplemental notice. Stay tuned to Connecting the Dots as more information becomes available.
In the meantime, read the full proposal and learn more about how to submit written comments here.