Trump Administration Finalizes “Freedom Means Affordable Cars” Initiative
The Trump administration has finalized the Freedom Means Affordable Cars initiative, resetting federal fuel-economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks in a major change to the U.S. vehicle regulatory framework.
According to a report by U.S. Department of Transportation, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy released the final rule on September 28, 2026. The department says the changes will give automakers greater flexibility, reduce vehicle costs and improve vehicle safety.
What Happened
The final Freedom Means Affordable Cars rule resets the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light trucks covering model years 2022 through 2031.
The Transportation Department estimates that t...



















