"Americans will pay more at the pump as the president eases up expectations on automakers. It’s one of several ways the White House is raising the cost of living."
"This week, the Transportation Department finalized its plan to roll back fuel efficiency standards for automobiles. Automakers will now be required to achieve an average fuel efficiency of 34.9 miles per gallon for new cars and light trucks starting in 2031, down from the standard of 50.4 miles per gallon established during the Biden administration.
President Donald Trump claims that lowering the fuel standards will save consumers money. In actuality, it is yet one more way that his policies are making life more expensive for most Americans. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s own assessment finds that reducing the fuel efficiency standard will force drivers of new cars to pay an average of $1,624 more for gas over the lifetime of the vehicle. That outweighs the estimated savings on car prices.
Consumers are already struggling with sky-high prices at the pump, which have spiked in recent months as the war with Iran grinds on. The national average price for unleaded gas is around $4.40 per gallon, up about 40% from a year ago."
Wendy Becktold and Ysabelle Kempe report for Canary Media October 2, 2026.
