Trump Sets 34.5 MPG Fuel Standard, Reversing Biden-Era Target

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social Saturday that he approved new fuel economy standards of about 34.5 mpg fleetwide by model year 2031, reversing the Biden-era target of about 50.4 mpg. "I have just approved new Fuel Economy Standards that TERMINATE Sleepy Joe Biden and Pete Boot-EDGE-EDGE's ridiculous EV Mandate," he wrote, adding the change removes waste, means lower prices saving families thousands, and that GM, Ford and Stellantis want to build in America. Sean Duffy reposted with "COMING MONDAY." Pete Buttigieg replied that manufacturing jobs are down under Trump, the strategy failed, and lowering standards hands clean tech to China while forcing higher pump prices. The proposal excludes EVs and plug-in hybrids. Michael Hartrick said earlier the prior standards are unachievable given slowing EV sales; Dave Cooke said the approach looks only at worst performers. Contested: Trump and Duffy present the move as ending an EV mandate and cutting costs; Buttigieg and left-rated coverage call it a rollback that raises fuel costs and weakens EV incentives. Congress set penalties to $0. The 34.5 mpg target is lower than the 2024 U.S. fleet average. Final technical details were not immediately released.