Recent Federal Actions
This list includes recent federal actions, such as Federal Register notices and rulemaking actions, agency directives or agency communications, that are all publicly available. These actions relate to alternative fuels and vehicles, fuel blends, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction and fuel economy measures. When rulemakings are finalized, they will move to the list of Federal Laws and Incentives.
Executive Order 14037, issued in August 2021, requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to draft new emissions standards, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, for light- and medium-duty vehicles for model year (MY) 2027 and later. The EPA must also consider establishing new nitrogen oxides and GHG emissions standards for heavy-duty engines and vehicles for MY 2027 and later. Further, EPA must establish new GHG emissions standards for heavy-duty engines and vehicles to begin in MY 2030. EPA must consider issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking by January 2022, and any final rulemaking by December 2022. For more information, refer to EPA’s Regulations for Emissions from Vehicles and Engines website.
Additionally, Executive Order 14037, requires the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to establish new fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks for MY 2027 and later. NHTSA must also consider establishing new fuel economy standards for heavy-duty trucks and vans for MY 2028 and later. Further, NHTSA must establish new fuel economy standards for medium- and heavy-duty engines and vehicles for MY 2030 and later. NHTSA must consider issuing any final rulemakings by July 2024. For more information, refer to NHTSA’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy website.
Executive Order 14037, issued in August 2021, sets a goal that 50% of all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in 2030 be zero-emission vehicles, including all-electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles. To support this goal, the Biden Administration will prioritize setting clear standards, expanding key infrastructure, spurring critical innovation, and investing in autoworkers.
Executive Order 13990, issued in January 2021, requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to review The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule Part One: One National Program and The SAFE Vehicles Rule for Model Years (MYs) 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks. The EPA and NHTSA must consider suspending, revising, or rescinding the SAFE Vehicles Rules and establish ambitious fuel economy standards. For more information, refer to Executive Order 13990.