2026-01-08 Petroleum-Equivalent Fuel Economy Calculation; Final rule, technical amendment
Summary
The federal government is updating how it measures fuel efficiency for vehicles that run on alternative fuels like ethanol and electricity. This technical adjustment helps ensure that car manufacturers are accurately reporting how far these vehicles can travel on a gallon of fuel equivalent, which affects what cars are available to consumers and company compliance with fuel economy standards.
Key Points
- 1Updates the formula used to calculate fuel economy for vehicles powered by alternative fuels such as ethanol blends and electric vehicles
- 2Ensures more accurate comparisons between traditional gasoline vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions
- 3Affects car manufacturers' ability to meet federal fuel efficiency requirements and may influence which vehicle types they produce
- 4A technical amendment that clarifies and corrects previous measurement methods to align with current vehicle technology
- 5Helps the government track progress toward energy independence and environmental goals through better fuel economy data
Impact Assessment
If you are a vehicle manufacturer, this means you must use updated calculation methods when reporting fuel economy for alternative fuel vehicles, ensuring consistent and accurate efficiency measurements.
National
Minimal
Key Dates
January 8, 2026
Regulatory Connections
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.