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Transportation Department, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule III for Model Years 2022 to 2031 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks

Published September 30, 2026. Takes effect November 30, 2026, printed at 91 FR 61988, amending 49 CFR 523, 49 CFR 531, 49 CFR 533, 49 CFR 536. 222,203 words.

Read it at the Federal Register →

What the Rule Says It Does

NHTSA, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), is substantially recalibrating the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program to bring the program into compliance with the law and to remove previous regulatory distortions which have induced manufacturers to make design decisions that have neither aligned with market demand and the needs of American families nor have delivered the consistent improvements in the fuel economy performance of manufacturer fleets, as Congress intended. This recalibration finalizes amendments to fuel economy standards for light-duty vehicles for model years 2022- 2026 and MYs 2027-2031. This final rule also finalizes amendments to compliance aspects of the program, including to vehicle classification and other compliance pathways.

This is the rule's own summary, as the Federal Register prints it.

The Orders It Names

The rule names these orders itself. What it does about them is a reading, and none is recorded here.

On the Face of the Rule

As filed

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 30, 2026)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 61988-62291] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2026-19964]

Vol. 91

Wednesday,

No. 188

September 30, 2026

Part III

Department of Transportation

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Parts 523, 531, et al.

The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule III for Model Years 2022 to 2031 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks; Final Rule

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Parts 523, 531, 533, 536, 537, and 578

[NHTSA-2025-0491] RIN 2127-AM76

The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule III for Model Years 2022 to 2031 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks

AGENCY

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

ACTION

Final rule.

DATES

This rule is effective November 30, 2026. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of November 30, 2026.

ADDRESSES

For access to the dockets or to read background documents or comments received, please visit https://www.regulations.gov, or Docket Management Facility, M-30, U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Rm. W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Management Facility is open between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

For technical and policy issues, Joseph Bayer, CAFE Program Division Chief, Office of Rulemaking, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590; email: [email protected]. For legal issues, Hannah Fish, NHTSA Office of Chief Counsel, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590; email: [email protected].

The fields the Federal Register prints at the head of the rule, quoted as printed. Its summary is quoted above.

Why the Agency Says It Is Doing This

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Table of Acronyms and Abbreviations

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30SE26.043

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30SE26.044

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30SE26.045

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30SE26.046

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30SE26.047

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30SE26.048

BILLING CODE 4910-59-C

Does this action apply to me?

This final rule affects companies that manufacture or sell new passenger automobiles (passenger cars) and non-passenger automobiles (light trucks), as defined under NHTSA's CAFE regulations.\1\ Regulated categories and entities include:

\1\ See 49 CFR part 523.

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30SE26.049

This list is not intended to be exhaustive but rather provides a guide regarding entities likely to be regulated by this action. To determine whether particular activities may be regulated by this action, you should carefully examine the regulations. You may direct questions regarding the applicability of this action to the persons listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

The passage that opens the rule's preamble, where the agency sets out what it is doing and on what authority. Every heading that follows it is listed below.

What the Rule Contains

Every heading the Federal Register prints in this rule, in the order it prints them. 81 headings, 222,203 words in all.

  1. AGENCYOn its face · 7 words
  2. ACTIONOn its face · 3 words
  3. SUMMARYOn its face · 113 words
  4. DATESOn its face · 33 words
  5. ADDRESSESOn its face · 60 words
  6. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACTOn its face · 60 words
  7. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATIONPreamble · 2 words
  8. Table of Acronyms and AbbreviationsPreamble · 139 words
  9. Table of ContentsPreamble · 3 words
  10. I. Executive Summary and OverviewPreamble · 1,074 words
  11. I. Executive Summary and OverviewPreamble · 5 words
  12. A. Executive SummaryPreamble · 5,639 words
  13. B. Overview of the Final RulePreamble · 6 words
  14. 1. Summary of the NPRMPreamble · 5,258 words
  15. 6. Final Standards Are Maximum FeasiblePreamble · 273 words
  16. II. Technical Foundation for the Final Rule AnalysisPreamble · 8 words
  17. A. Why is NHTSA conducting this analysis?Preamble · 4,135 words
  18. B. What is NHTSA analyzing?Preamble · 3,240 words
  19. C. What inputs does the compliance analysis require?Preamble · 253 words
  20. 1. What inputs does the analysis require for 2022-2026?Preamble · 1,764 words
  21. a. Technology Options and PathwaysPreamble · 13,914 words
  22. e. Simulating Tax CreditsPreamble · 1,939 words
  23. f. Technology Applicability Equations and RulesPreamble · 2,327 words
  24. D. Technology Pathways, Effectiveness, and CostPreamble · 27,057 words
  25. 7. Low Rolling Resistance TiresPreamble · 1,677 words
  26. 8. Simulating Air-Conditioning Efficiency and Off-Cycle TechnologiesPreamble · 1,430 words
  27. E. Consumer Responses to Manufacturer Compliance StrategiesPreamble · 2,931 words
  28. a. SalesPreamble · 8,858 words
  29. F. Simulating Emissions Impacts of Regulatory AlternativesPreamble · 1,949 words
  30. G. Simulating Economic Impacts of Regulatory AlternativesPreamble · 6,330 words
  31. 2. External Costs and BenefitsPreamble · 3,288 words
  32. H. Simulating Safety Effects of Regulatory AlternativesPreamble · 4,772 words
  33. 3. Rebound Effect ImpactsPreamble · 616 words
  34. 4. Value of Safety ImpactsPreamble · 386 words
  35. III. Regulatory Alternatives Considered in This Final RulePreamble · 8 words
  36. A. General Basis for Alternatives ConsideredPreamble · 9,073 words
  37. B. Regulatory Alternatives ConsideredPreamble · 504 words
  38. b. No-Action Alternative for the MYs 2027-2031 AmendmentPreamble · 811 words
  39. b. Action Alternatives for MYs 2027-2031 Amendment (1) Alternative 1Preamble · 811 words
  40. IV. Effects of the Regulatory AlternativesPreamble · 6 words
  41. A. Effects of the Regulatory Alternatives for MYs 2022-2026Preamble · 762 words
  42. B. Effects of the Regulatory Alternatives for MYs 2027-2031Preamble · 9 words
  43. 1. Effects on Vehicle ManufacturersPreamble · 4,831 words
  44. V. Basis for NHTSA's Conclusion That the Final Standards Are Maximum FeasiblePreamble · 7,099 words
  45. c. Minimum Standards for Domestic Passenger AutomobilesPreamble · 3,229 words
  46. d. Attribute-Based Standards Defined by a Mathematical FunctionPreamble · 1,940 words
  47. a. Technological FeasibilityPreamble · 4,618 words
  48. c. The Effect of Other Motor Vehicle Standards of the Government on Fuel EconomyPreamble · 2,408 words
  49. d. The Need of the United States To Conserve EnergyPreamble · 13,426 words
  50. B. Other Statutory RequirementsPreamble · 4 words
  51. 1. Administrative Procedure ActPreamble · 2,518 words
  52. C. Evaluating the Statutory Factors and Other Considerations To Arrive at the Final StandardsPreamble · 16,646 words
  53. c. Effect of Other Motor Vehicle Standards of the Government on Fuel EconomyPreamble · 169 words
  54. d. The Need of the United States To Conserve EnergyPreamble · 9,510 words
  55. D. SeverabilityPreamble · 1,679 words
  56. VI. Compliance and EnforcementPreamble · 105 words
  57. A. Background and Overview of Compliance and EnforcementPreamble · 1,766 words
  58. B. Finalized Changes to the CAFE ProgramPreamble · 158 words
  59. 1. Modification of Vehicle Classification in the CAFE ProgramPreamble · 2,312 words
  60. b. Finalized Changes to Criteria for Off-Highway CapabilityPreamble · 3,040 words
  61. c. Finalized Changes to Criteria for Functional PerformancePreamble · 3,350 words
  62. 2. Removal of Credit Trading in the CAFE ProgramPreamble · 5,446 words
  63. C. Technical AmendmentsPreamble · 284 words
  64. 1. Technical Amendments To Remove Residual Mention of Fuel Efficiency Standards for Trailers in NHTSA's Vehicle Classification RegulationsPreamble · 578 words
  65. 3. Technical Amendments To Remove Civil Penalties for Non-Compliance With Fuel Economy Standards From the CAFE ProgramPreamble · 975 words
  66. VII. Regulatory Notices and AnalysesPreamble · 459 words
  67. B. Environmental ConsiderationsPreamble · 3 words
  68. 1. National Environmental Policy ActPreamble · 691 words
  69. 2. Clean Air Act as Applied to NHTSA's Final RulePreamble · 3,978 words
  70. 5. Executive Order 13045: “Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks”Preamble · 645 words
  71. C. Regulatory Flexibility ActPreamble · 502 words
  72. D. Executive Order 13132 (“Federalism”)Preamble · 287 words
  73. E. Executive Order 12988 (“Civil Justice Reform”)Preamble · 239 words
  74. F. Executive Order 13175 (“Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments”)Preamble · 85 words
  75. G. Unfunded Mandates Reform ActPreamble · 309 words
  76. H. Regulation Identifier NumberPreamble · 63 words
  77. I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement ActPreamble · 373 words
  78. J. Incorporation by ReferencePreamble · 303 words
  79. K. Department of Energy ReviewPreamble · 46 words
  80. L. Paperwork Reduction ActPreamble · 718 words
  81. List of SubjectsRegulatory text · 15,762 words

The Rest of the Text

This rule runs to 222,203 words. The rest of it is set out over 12 pages, split at the rule's own headings so that no heading is parted from the words printed under it.

How to cite this
  1. The rule itself

    Transportation Department, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule III for Model Years 2022 to 2031 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks,” 91 FR 61988 (September 30, 2026). Effective November 30, 2026.
    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

  2. This page

    “The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule III for Model Years 2022 to 2031 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks,” a final rule naming an order indexed here. Read the Mandate, https://readthemandate.org/rules/rule-2026-19964/ (retrieved October 1, 2026).

Cite the document when the claim is about what the document says. Cite this page when the indexing, the wording or the record of what has happened is what is being relied on.

How This Rule Is Set Out

Federal Register documents are United States government works and are not under copyright, so the rule is here whole rather than cut to an excerpt. It is split at the headings the Register itself prints: the line it is filed under, the captioned fields on its face, the preamble where the agency says what it is doing and why, and the amendments to the Code of Federal Regulations. No passage is shortened. This rule is long enough that its text is set out over 12 pages rather than one.

Two things the Register prints are not reproduced: the running head it repeats at every page break, and the tables it sets as pictures rather than as words. Its own marker for one of those tables, [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED], is left standing where the table was, so a reader can see that something is there and follow the link to the page it is on.

A heading with nothing quoted under it is one the rule prints on its own, with the words that follow it set under the headings beneath.