Government Wants Your Opinion on SAFE Vehicle Rule III
Published Date: 12/12/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The government is holding a virtual public hearing on January 7, 2026, about new fuel economy rules for cars and light trucks from 2022 to 2031. These rules aim to keep vehicles safer and more affordable while improving fuel efficiency. If you care about how much gas your car uses or how much you pay at the pump, this is your chance to speak up before the rules are finalized.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Fuel-economy targets rise slowly
NHTSA proposes to raise Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards by 0.5% per year through model year (MY) 2026 and then by 0.25% per year through MY 2031, with MY 2027 as a bridge year. NHTSA projects the industry fleetwide average for all light-duty vehicles will be roughly 34.5 miles per gallon (mpg) in MY 2031.
Electric vehicles excluded from fuel calculations
In setting the proposed standards, NHTSA did not consider the imputed fuel-economy performance of battery-powered electric vehicles or the electric operation of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The agency also did not consider compliance credits or certain test-procedure adjustments, because statute prohibits that consideration.
How to join and speak at hearing
NHTSA will hold a virtual public hearing on January 7, 2026 (with an additional session on January 8, 2026 if needed). Anyone wishing to attend or speak must register at https://www.nhtsa.gov/cafe by December 31, 2025; each oral commenter will have 3 minutes, closed captioning will be provided, and people with disabilities may request additional accommodations by December 31, 2025.
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