The loss of fuel economy credits in the US is causing significant financial strain on electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers like Rivian, according to a recent report. The rollback of these rules, which were implemented under the Trump administration, has resulted in $100 million in lost revenue for Rivian alone.
Rivian and its competitors have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue selling credits tied to fuel economy standards. However, after the changes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stopped issuing compliance letters, leaving EV makers without a clear path forward.
This move is part of a broader effort to overturn Biden-era EV rules and address Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. The NHTSA aims to “fix CAFE standards to make cars more affordable again,” but the change has already had a noticeable impact on the industry.
Stellantis, a multinational automaker, is also facing pressure to accelerate its transition to electrification in China. A top government official in central China has urged CEO Antonio Filosa to speed up the company’s shift to intelligent and connected EVs.
Meanwhile, Toyota plans to introduce three fully-electric models in South Africa in 2026, marking a significant expansion into the nascent EV market. The move is seen as an attempt to circumvent US tariffs by targeting other markets.
Finally, Ford has issued its 102nd recall of 2025 vehicles, citing issues with their head or tail lights that may cause headlights to malfunction.
Source: https://www.jalopnik.com/1940883/lax-fuel-economy-rule-hurt-rivian