Administration’s “Freedom Means Affordable Cars” Initiative is an Assault on Consumers and Common Sense
Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829
Washington, DC— Today, the Trump administration released a final rule weakening federal fuel economy standards for cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs. The rule, dubbed “Freedom Means Affordable Cars,” lowers the fleet average fuel economy from 50.4 miles per gallon to 34.9 miles per gallon by model year 2031.
“Today, the Trump administration dealt perhaps its greatest blow to affordability and common sense: gutting federal fuel economy standards in the midst of skyrocketing gasoline prices and an impending energy crisis,” said Daniel Greene, the Senior Director of Consumer Protection & Product Safety. “A gallon of regular gasoline is nearing $4.50 per gallon. Diesel prices have never been higher. Nearly two years of sustained assaults on domestic clean energy and unprecedented weakening of energy efficiency standards have helped get us into this mess. Doubling down on failed policies that inflict pain at the pump and exacerbate the affordability crisis will not get us out.”
The administration claims the proposed rule will reduce the price of new vehicles and generate tens of billions of dollars in savings for the American people. The final rule inexplicably projects that regular gasoline will cost less than $3 per gallon from 2026 through 2040.
“Voodoo economics and alternative facts will not make this good policy,” Greene continued. “The administration may be satisfied with the status quo—content to hoist a metaphorical “Mission Accomplished” banner across every gas pump in the nation. But there is a better path for consumers. We must ambitiously support clean energy technologies and strengthen fuel economy standards, because costs are low when fuel economy standards are high. Since 2002, fuel economy improvements save owners of newer pickup trucks and SUVs $9,920 and owners of newer cars $9,100 over the life of the vehicle. Yet, since 2002, all vehicle equipment upgrades—including changes in fuel economy, comfort, convenience, durability, and voluntary safety improvements—have added just $3,040 to the cost of a vehicle. No more false choices. Let’s choose affordability and energy independence, economic vitality, and national security.”
In February, the National Consumers League released Sticker Shock, a report identifying the factors contributing to rising vehicle prices and evaluating the effect on household affordability.
Earlier this month, the National Consumers League and 25 other consumer organizations sent a letter to Congress opposing resolutions that would invalidate robust tailpipe emission standards adopted in full or in part by 18 states and the District of Columbia.
###
About the National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.
