Cars ## US Department of Transportation Makes Way for Less Efficient Cars as Fuel Prices Soar The Trump administration's final fuel economy rule promises $1,300 off the average new vehicle, but will that matter if fuel prices continue to climb? Senior Writer, Electrified Cars ### Antuan Goodwin Senior Writer, Electrified Cars September 28, 2026, 8:25 pm ET The US Department of Transportation released its new Freedom Means Affordable Cars rule on Monday, resetting the nation’s corporate average fuel economy standards to pre-Biden-Buttigieg-era levels. Secretary Sean P. Duffy called it the end…