EPA and NHTSA finalize SAFE Vehicles Rule, weakening clean-car standards

Summary

In March 2020, EPA and NHTSA locked in weaker clean-car rules. The 2012 standards had required about a 5% yearly tightening of fuel economy and tailpipe CO2. The final SAFE rule cut that to 1.5% for model years 2021–2026. The agencies' own projection: roughly 867 to 923 million extra metric tons of CO2 versus the old standards. No House or Senate roll call — two agencies, one administration.