Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE VI— - MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS › Part PART C— - INFORMATION, STANDARDS, AND REQUIREMENTS › Chapter CHAPTER 329— - AUTOMOBILE FUEL ECONOMY › § 32912
People who break the related rule must pay up to $10,000 for each violation, and each day the problem continues counts as a separate violation. If a car maker fails to meet a model-year fuel economy standard, the penalty is figured by multiplying $0.00 for every 0.1 mile-per-gallon the standard exceeds the maker’s actual average, times the number of cars, and then subtracting any credits the maker has for that year. The Secretary of Transportation can set a higher per‑0.1‑mpg amount by rule if the Secretary finds the bigger penalty will help save a lot of energy and will not seriously hurt the national, state, or regional economy. The higher amount cannot exceed $0.00 per 0.1 mpg. The Secretary must publish the proposal, give manufacturers a copy, allow at least 45 days for written comments, ask the Federal Trade Commission to comment, and hold a public hearing with a transcript. The Secretary may limit repetitive questions and must issue the final rule at least 18 months before the model year when it starts. Penalties are imposed by written notice. Starting in fiscal year 2008, from the prior year’s fines and similar enforcement money in the Treasury, the Secretary of the Treasury will (subject to available appropriations) transfer 50% to the Department of Transportation’s account for rulemaking under this law and 50% to that account to fund grants to U.S. manufacturers to retool or expand facilities to make advanced technology vehicles and parts.
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Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
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Citation
49 U.S.C. § 32912
Title 49 — Transportation
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73