The US EPA and the Transportation Department final rule would reduce the mandate that automakers increase fuel economy by 5 percent annually down to 1.5 percent annually. This would change the outcome from achieving 54 miles per gallon by 2025 to 40 miles per gallon by 2026. Comparatively, the European Union’s new car standard is 76 miles per gallon by 2030. The result is calculated to increase fuel use by 78 billion gallons which would increase carbon dioxide emissions by 900 million tons. It is expected that states with stricter fuel standards will challenge the new rule. latimes