US to Propose Unwinding Biden-Era Heavy Truck Fuel Economy Rules

The Transportation Department says the previous standards were unrealistic and lacked legal authority.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 10:31pm

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The U.S. Transportation Department announced plans to propose rolling back fuel economy standards for heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans that were finalized during the Biden administration. The department claims the previous rules were unrealistic and lacked the legal authority to establish civil penalties for failing to meet the standards.

Why it matters

The proposed rollback of the heavy-duty truck fuel economy rules would make it easier for automakers to sell gas-powered commercial vehicles, but would also increase fuel consumption and carbon emissions. This move is part of a broader effort by the current administration to revise vehicle efficiency standards set under the previous administration.

The details

In 2024, the Biden administration finalized rules requiring heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans to increase fuel efficiency by 10% per year for model years 2030-2032 and 8% per year for 2033-2035. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) now says those rules were unrealistic and lacked the legal authority to impose civil penalties for non-compliance. NHTSA plans to propose new, less stringent standards.

  • In 2024, the Biden administration finalized the heavy-duty truck fuel economy rules.
  • On January 30, 2026, the U.S. Transportation Department announced plans to propose rolling back those rules.

The players

U.S. Transportation Department

The federal agency responsible for regulating transportation, including vehicle fuel economy standards.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

A division of the U.S. Transportation Department that sets and enforces vehicle safety and fuel economy standards.

Joe Biden

The former president who finalized the heavy-duty truck fuel economy rules that are now being proposed for rollback.

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What they’re saying

“Unrealistic standards 'harm American consumers and business owners who use these commercial vehicles.'”

— Jonathan Morrison, NHTSA Administrator (ksgf.com)

“The 2030 rules were 'entirely unachievable given the current state of zero-emission technology, the lack of charging infrastructure and restrictions on the power grid.'”

— American Trucking Associations (ksgf.com)

What’s next

NHTSA says it aims to swiftly complete the new regulation to replace the Biden-era heavy-duty truck fuel economy rules.

The takeaway

The proposed rollback of the heavy-duty truck fuel economy standards is part of a broader effort by the current administration to revise vehicle efficiency rules set under the previous administration. This move is likely to benefit automakers by making it easier to sell gas-powered commercial vehicles, but will also increase fuel consumption and carbon emissions.