The Biden administration issued a proposal this week directing automakers to raise the fuel economy of their vehicles to a fleet-wide average of 58 miles per gallon by 2032, as it seeks to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the use of fossil fuels.
The proposed rule released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would be applicable beginning in model year 2027 and ramp up through model year 2032.
Among the range of options on which the agency is taking public comment, the NHTSA’s preferred alternative would increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy requirements by 2%/year for passenger cars and 4%/year for light trucks.
The agency also proposes new fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans for 2030-35 rising 10% annually.
The NHTSA said it would try to align regulations with the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed vehicle emissions reductions.
The NHTSA’s previous proposal, published in April 2022, ordered automakers to boost their average fuel economy to 49 mpg by 2026.
Potentially relevant tickers include: (F), (GM), (TM), (HMC), (STLA), (OTCPK:VWAGY), (OTCPK:BMWYY), (TSLA), (NASDAQ:CARZ), (NASDAQ:ICLN), (NASDAQ:QCLN), (PBW), (PBD), (ACES), (CNRG), (ERTH), (SMOG)
The move comes as gas prices are rising, and the Biden administration wants all vehicles sold in the U.S. to be electric or emissions-free by the end of the decade.
More analysis on clean energy: