We Can’t Afford to Pay More at the Pump

The Trump administration wants to roll back federal rules that require car companies to make cars and trucks go farther on a gallon of gas.

Cars today use gas much more efficiently — from just 13 miles per gallon in the 1970s to about 38 miles per gallon for 2031 models — thanks to these rules. Weakening them means drivers pay more at the pump while oil and gas executives profit off of more carbon pollution.

The Trump administration’s Department of Transportation (DOT) is accepting public comments on its plan to get rid of these vehicle standards until Jan. 20. Public comments help NRDC hold the government accountable and defend policies that protect consumers and the climate.

Submit your public comment before the Jan. 20 deadline.

Submit a public comment to save rules that lower fuel costs for cars before the Jan. 20 deadline.

A sign showing gas prices at $4.19 per gallon for regular.

The Trump administration wants to roll back federal rules that require car companies to make cars and trucks go farther on a gallon of gas.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is accepting public comments on its plan to get rid of these fuel-saving requirements – and we need to show them that thousands of people across the U.S. want to keep these critical rules in place.

Cars today use gas much more efficiently than they used to. Back in the 1970s, most cars only went about 13 miles per gallon. Thanks to these rules, cars made in 2031 will be able to go about 38 miles per gallon — almost three times farther on the same amount of gas.

Weakening these standards will cost drivers more money. Newer cars will guzzle more gas, forcing drivers to pay more at the pump while driving more climate-busting carbon pollution that chokes our environment and threatens our health — all to line the pockets of oil and gas executives.

But if we keep these rules, drivers will save an estimated $23 billion in fuel costs and avoid burning 70 billion gallons of gasoline through 2050.

Public comments are a critical tool to ensure government decisions follow the law — and when NRDC members and activists speak up, it helps us build a strong legal case to hold federal agencies accountable. Please submit your comment in defense of these standards before the public comment period closes on Jan. 20.

CTA

Your Message

Subject Keep fuel economy standards strong

Dear DOT Secretary Duffy and Administrator Morrison,

Message Body

I’m writing to urge you to protect our nation’s fuel economy standards — not weaken them.

Today’s CAFE standards save Americans money. Recently updated rules are projected to save drivers $23 billion in fuel costs and avoid burning 70 billion gallons of gasoline through 2050. Even after accounting for the cost of a new car, drivers will save an estimated $630 to $840 over the life of their vehicle.

Weakening these standards would do the opposite. It would force drivers to buy cars that guzzle more gas and pay more at the pump while oil and gas companies rake in bigger profits and American families lose out.

Fuel economy standards have worked for nearly 50 years. Since Congress first enacted them in 1975, they’ve saved more than two trillion gallons of gasoline, which is enough to power every car and light truck in the U.S. for more than 15 years.

Back in the 1970s, vehicles averaged only 13 miles per gallon. Thanks to continued progress, the latest standards will raise that to about 38 miles per gallon for 2031 models — making cars nearly three times more efficient.

Please stand up for American drivers and our energy security by protecting strong fuel economy standards. These standards save consumers money, reduce pollution, and lower our energy burden.

Thank you.

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