A coalition of 26 state attorneys general, spearheaded by West Virginia and Kentucky, has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration's new fuel economy regulations. 

According to Reuters, they argued that the new standards are impractical and would compel automakers to increase the production of electric vehicles.

New Fuel Economy Rules

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has already finalized the new fuel economy rules that will be enforced by 2031.

These rules aim to raise corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) requirements from the current 39.1 miles per gallon (mpg) to approximately 50.4 mpg. They are just slightly higher than the previous target of 49 mpg for 2026.

The attorneys general and oil industry groups have frequently contested the Biden administration's initiatives to enhance vehicle efficiency, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and promote electric vehicles.

The legal challenge claimed that the NHTSA's rule exceeds its statutory authority and is arbitrary and capricious.

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Increasing CAFE Standards

In July 2023, NHTSA suggested raising CAFE standards by 2% annually for passenger cars and 4% annually for light trucks from 2027 to 2032. 

However, the final regulation does not include any increases for light trucks in 2027 and 2028 and mandates only 2% annual increases from 2029 to 2031. 

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