Related: White House Proposes Weaker Emissions Goals, Opposes States Setting Own Rules
Feds Schedule Hearings on Trump's Fuel Economy Plan
Federal agencies will take public input on the Trump administration's plan to relax fuel economy standards at three hearings later this month, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Federal agencies will begin seeking input on President Trump's fuel economy plan later this month.
Photo via Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia. Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Federal agencies will take public input on the Trump administration's plan to relax fuel economy standards at three hearings later this month, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Trump's proposed SAFE (Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient) Vehicles rule, would roll back fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles produced from the 2021 to 2026 model years. It would freeze Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards at 2020 levels for those model years. The EPA is also proposing to withdraw a waiver granted to California for the greenhouse gas and zero emissions vehicles sections of the regulations.
The Trump administration is making the argument that increasingly strict emissions standards is causing new vehicle prices to rise to an average of $35,000 or more that's out of reach for many American families, according to the announcement.
The hearings have been scheduled for Sept. 24 in Fresno, Calif.; Sept. 25 in Dearborn, Mich.; and Sept. 26 in Pittsburgh. The locations will be held at The Grand 1401, 1401 Fulton St., Fresno; The Dearborn Inn, 20301 Oakwood Blvd.; and The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites in Pittsburgh.
The hearings will be jointly hosted by NHTSA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They will begin at 10 a.m. local time.
The agencies are also accepting written comments by Oct. 23. Comments should be identified by Docket ID No. NHTSA-2018-0067 or EPA-HQ-OAR-2018-0283.
More Safety

Which Fleet Types Have the Highest Severe Speeding Rates?
New research from SambaSafety finds significant differences in speeding rates across fleet industries, even as nearly 90% of surveyed fleets report using telematics.
Read More →
When a Cyberattack Hits Your Fleet: What Happens Next?
“You have two opportunities to test your plans: when you choose or when the threat actor chooses.” A cybersecurity expert reveals what fleet managers need to know before a cyberattack puts their operations at risk — and why the decisions made in the first moments can shape the entire recovery.
Read More →
Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night
This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.
Read More →
IIHS Crash Avoidance Tests Reveal Safety Gaps in Cargo Vans and Work Trucks
New IIHS crash avoidance ratings show uneven performance among cargo vans and heavy-duty pickups, with most struggling to avoid vehicle-to-vehicle collisions.
Read More →
What’s Next for Fleet? Safety, AI & Industry Recognition | AF News Recap
Could your company's culture be encouraging distracted driving? This week, we're exploring how workplace expectations affect driver safety, what AI, EVs, and autonomous vehicles could mean for the future of fleet management, and how fleet professionals can strengthen their award nominations.
Read More →
Does Your Fleet's Culture Encourage Distracted Driving?
What happens when the people responsible for enforcing safety rules are the ones setting the wrong example? The answer may reveal why some of the biggest risks to fleet drivers have little to do with what's written in the employee handbook.
Read More →
Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity
Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.
Read More →
From Driver Well-Being to EV Charging | AF News Recap
Mental health belongs in the fleet safety conversation. This week, we’re looking at five ways fleets can support employee well-being before a crisis, plus Holman’s expansion in Mexico, new one-day Fleet Forward passes, and why EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure growth.
Read More →
Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset
Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.
Read More →
Don't Wait for a Crisis: 5 Ways to Build Mental Health Into Your Fleet Safety Program
For Suicide Prevention Month, fleet and safety leaders have an opportunity to put mental health where it belongs: at the center of workplace safety.
Read More →