US EPA revised fuel economy standards for MY 2023 - 2026 light-duty vehicles

The US EPA has revised the CO2 standards for model years 2023 – 2026 passenger cars and light-duty trucks. 


On average, this will require fleet averaged annual reductions of CO2 or fuel consumption by 7%. Overall, the model year 2026 CO2 emissions will be further reduced by 23% compared to the previous Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) rule. It is estimated that these standards will result in an averaged 55 miles per gallon fuel economy by 2026.


Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles get multiplier credits of 1.5 and 1.3, respectively, but are phased out starting 2025. Also, pick-ups get credits for hybridization (think F-150 hybrid !)


The EPA estimates that these CO2 standards will result in 17% battery electric vehicles annual sales by MY 2026.

Here’s a revised chart showing the current CO2 standards in place across some of the major automotive markets. Some comments –

  • All values shown in g/km for ease of comparison. The limits are specified in g/mi in the US. Also, these are measured using different test procedures in the various markets, hence a direct comparison is not quite accurate.
  • Perhaps more useful is the comparison of the reductions : which shows that 4 – 7% reduction in fuel consumption is required per year across these markets. 
  • The European limits are under discussion and might be revised following the “Fit for 55” proposal. 
  • The Chinese regulations specify fuel consumption (4 L / 100 km in 2025) and is converted to CO2 emissions.

Click here for more details and to download the final published rule.

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