# Federal Register #2026-19964

NHTSA revises fuel-economy standards and compliance rules for passenger cars and light trucks

**Buyer:** National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation
**Posted:** September 30, 2026
**Identifier:** 2026-19964
**NAICS:** 926120

NHTSA finalized changes to federal fuel-economy standards and compliance rules for passenger cars and light trucks.
- **Government buyer and issuing agency:** National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on behalf of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT); this is a regulatory action, not a procurement solicitation.
- **Scope:** Revises Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards and compliance provisions for passenger cars and light trucks.
- **Notable changes:** Updates vehicle classification and compliance pathways, and changes how certain technologies and credits are treated. Inter-manufacturer credit trading will end for credits earned in the applicable future compliance period.
- **Automakers named:** **Volkswagen Group of America**, **Jaguar Land Rover**, and **Mazda North American Operations**.
- **Products and services requested:** None; no products, quantities, or part numbers are identified.

### Description

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Transportation, issued a final rule recalibrating the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program. It amends fuel economy standards for light-duty vehicles for model years 2022–2026 and 2027–2031. The rule also revises program compliance provisions, including vehicle classification and other compliance pathways. It takes effect November 30, 2026.

[View original listing](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/30/2026-19964/the-safer-affordable-fuel-efficient-safe-vehicles-rule-iii-for-model-years-2022-to-2031-passenger)