Trump says lower MPG rules will cut car prices by $1,300

Despite rising gas prices, President Trump's administration is moving to roll back federal fuel economy rules that could make new cars less fuel-efficient but with a more affordable sticker price.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said in a Sept. 28 press release that it is moving to lower the required fleetwide average fuel economy for cars that is set by regulators from a current requirement of more than 50 miles-per-gallon by 2031 to just under 35 miles-per-gallon.

The fuel economy rollback, which has been dubbed “Freedom Means Affordable Cars” by the Trump administration, comes as the average price of gas in the U.S. reached $4.47 on Monday, Sept. 28, according to AAA. That's up from an average of $4.08 one month ago on August 28, and $3.13 one year ago on Sept. 28, 2025.

Trump administration officials said lowering the fuel economy requirements for carmakers would make cars cheaper in the long run by an average of about $1,300.

“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we have finally ended the illegal mandate that forced automakers to produce more expensive electric vehicles that American families didn’t want," U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement that blame for the higher fuel…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/money/