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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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19964, The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule III for Model Years 2022 to 2031 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
The SAFE Vehicles Rule III updates fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks from 2022 to 2031, making sure manufacturers build vehicles that better match what American families want and need. This rule changes how fuel efficiency is measured and sets new deadlines starting November 30, 2026. It aims to save money at the pump and help the environment by encouraging smarter, more affordable vehicle designs.
2026-11072, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 214; Side Impact Protection; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 305a; Electric-Powered Vehicles: Electric Powertrain Integrity; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 307; Fuel System Integrity of Hydrogen Vehicles
Starting July 6, 2026, car makers must follow updated safety rules that clean up old, outdated side-impact protection standards and fix related rules for electric and hydrogen vehicles. These changes make the rules clearer without adding new costs or big changes for manufacturers. If anyone wants to challenge the updates, they have until July 20, 2026, to speak up.
2026-08144, Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures
The Department of Transportation is bringing back and improving its rules for making new policies, giving guidance, and enforcing laws. This affects anyone involved in transportation regulations, making the process clearer and more consistent. These changes kick in on May 27, 2026, aiming to save time and avoid confusion without adding extra costs.
2026-05023, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 103 and FMVSS No. 104 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles; Incorporation by Reference
NHTSA is updating rules for windshield defrosting, defogging, wiping, and washing to better fit self-driving cars that don’t have steering wheels or pedals. These cars won’t have to follow old rules meant for human drivers, cutting costs and unnecessary requirements without hurting safety. The changes kick in about six months after the final rule, and manufacturers can still add these features if they want.
2026-05024, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 102 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles
NHTSA wants to update a safety rule to help self-driving cars that don’t have steering wheels or gear shifts. They’re proposing to remove the need for a gear position display in these automated vehicles, cutting costs without hurting safety. If you have thoughts, speak up by April 15, 2026!
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