The Trump administration’s new standards for fuel economy, Weiser said, would effectively put standards back to where they were more than five years ago.
A coalition of at least 27 states, counties, and cities has filed a lawsuit against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over the introduction of a new rule weakening fuel economy standards for new passenger cars and light trucks.
In a press release, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, whose office recently joined the lawsuit, said that the NHTSA’s fuel economy rules are supposed to help consumers save money while protecting the natural environment.
“Historically, NHTSA’s standards have reduced consumer costs by improving fuel efficiency for vehicles, placed downward pressure on gas prices by reducing fuel consumption, protected the U.S. economy from global oil shocks, and reduced pollution from tailpipes and refineries,” Weiser’s office said. “However, the final rule significantly weakens fuel economy standards and hurts consumers and the environment. In the lawsuit filed today in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, the coalition alleges that the new rule is contrary to law and that NHTSA is violating its mandate from Congress to set fuel-economy standards at their ‘maximum feasible’ level.”
The rules, announced on Monday, changed the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, which dictate how many miles per gallon vehicles must be able to travel. Under the revised standards, automakers are required to achieve a fleetwide average of 34.9 miles per gallon by 2031, down from the projected 50.4 miles set by the Biden administration.
The Trump administration’s new standards for fuel economy, Weiser said, would effectively put standards back to where they were more than five years ago.
“The federal government’s backsliding for the next five years requires less fuel economy than what the U.S. fleet of new cars and trucks achieved in 2021. Rolling back fuel efficiency standards will cost Coloradans even more at the gasp pump, harm public health, and undermine our nation’s position in the EV market,” Weiser said. “These clean car rules are part of our clean energy future and that’s why we are challenging this illegal action.”
A number of environmental groups are also filing suit against the NHTSA.
On Friday, another coalition of organizations—including the Sierra Club—said they were planning to challenge the administration’s revised fuel economy standards.
“It is unlawful for Trump to turn back the clock on fuel-efficient cars, forcing drivers to waste more money on gas and communities to breathe toxic air,” said Katherine Garceia, the Sierra Club’s Transportation for All director.
The other groups involved in the lawsuit include the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute, the Conservation Law Foundation, and the Environmental Defense Fund.
Sources
Attorney General Phil Weiser joins lawsuit challenging federal fuel economy standards rollbacks
Environmental groups sue Trump administration over rollback of vehicle mileage rules
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