Trump Administration Plans Looser Fuel-Economy Rules for Cars, Trucks

What changed

The Trump administration plans to release less stringent fuel-economy standards for cars and light trucks on Monday. The change would relax requirements for automakers to control pollution from gasoline-powered vehicles.

Why it matters

Automakers would face a different regulatory target for gasoline-powered cars and light trucks, but the practical effect cannot yet be measured. The final standards, their implementation schedule, compliance costs and legal status have not been provided.

The important next step is the text of the standards themselves. That will show how far the administration intends to move the rules and what manufacturers would have to change.