Environmental Groups Sue To Block Trump Rollback Of Federal Auto Fuel-Efficiency Targets
On Friday, October 2, 2026, environmental groups filed a petition for review in a U.S. Court of Appeals seeking to block the Trump administration's new federal fuel-economy rule.[1]
They say the rule is unlawful and will increase gasoline consumption, raise costs for drivers and boost vehicle emissions.[1]
Plaintiffs include the Sierra Club, Public Citizen, the Center for Biological Diversity's Climate Law Institute, Conservation Law Foundation and Environmental Defense Fund.[1] The filing names Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator Jonathan Morrison as respondents.[1]
The finalized standards require an average 34.9 miles per gallon by 2031, down from a Biden-era projected 50.4 mpg target.[1] The Department of Transportation says the rule lowers upfront vehicle costs by about $1,300 per vehicle.[1]
Earlier coverage flagged the administration's move as a notable weakening of fuel-efficiency requirements.[2] The environmental groups are asking the appeals court to overturn the rule and send it back to the agency.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Friday, October 2, 2026, environmental groups filed a petition for review in a U.S. Court of Appeals challenging the Trump administration's new CAFE fuel-economy standards.
- Plaintiffs include the Sierra Club, Public Citizen, the Center for Biological Diversity's Climate Law Institute, Conservation Law Foundation and Environmental Defense Fund.
- The lawsuit names Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator Jonathan Morrison as respondents.
- Plaintiffs argue the rollback will increase gasoline consumption, raise costs for drivers and boost vehicle emissions, and therefore call the rule unlawful.
- The finalized standards require an average 34.9 miles per gallon by 2031, down from the Biden-era projected 50.4 mpg target, and the Department of Transportation says the rule lowers upfront vehicle costs by about $1,300.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Friday, October 2, 2026, environmental groups filed a petition for review in a U.S. Court of Appeals challenging the Trump administration's new CAFE fuel-economy standards.
- Plaintiffs include the Sierra Club, Public Citizen, the Center for Biological Diversity's Climate Law Institute, Conservation Law Foundation and Environmental Defense Fund.
- The lawsuit names Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator Jonathan Morrison as respondents.
- Plaintiffs argue the rollback will increase gasoline consumption, raise costs for drivers, and boost vehicle emissions, calling the rule unlawful.
- The article reiterates that the finalized standards require an average 34.9 miles per gallon by 2031, down from the Biden-era projected 50.4 mpg target, and notes DOT’s claim that the rule lowers upfront vehicle costs by about $1,300.