PART - PART 531—PASSENGER AUTOMOBILE AVERAGE FUEL ECONOMY STANDARDS

Collapse to view only § 531.3 - Applicability.

§ 531.1 - Scope.
§ 531.2 - Purpose.
§ 531.3 - Applicability.
§ 531.4 - Definitions.
§ 531.5 - Fuel economy standards.
§ 531.6 - Measurement and calculation procedures.
APPENDIX Appendix A - Appendix A to Part 531—Example of Calculating Compliance Under § 531.5(c)

§ 531.1 - Scope.

This part establishes average fuel economy standards pursuant to section 502(a) and (c) of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, as amended, for passenger automobiles.

§ 531.2 - Purpose.

The purpose of this part is to increase the fuel economy of passenger automobiles by establishing minimum levels of average fuel economy for those vehicles.

§ 531.3 - Applicability.

This part applies to manufacturers of passenger automobiles.

§ 531.4 - Definitions.

(a) Statutory terms. (1) The terms average fuel economy, manufacture, manufacturer, and model year are used as defined in section 501 of the Act.

(2) The terms automobile and passenger automobile are used as defined in section 501 of the Act and in accordance with the determination in part 523 of this chapter.

(b) Other terms. As used in this part, unless otherwise required by the context—

(1) Act means the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, as amended by Public Law 94-163.

(2) [Reserved]

§ 531.5 - Fuel economy standards.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, each manufacturer of passenger automobiles shall comply with the fleet average fuel economy standards in Table 1 to this paragraph (a), expressed in miles per gallon, in the model year specified as applicable:

Table 1 to § 531.5(a)

Model year	Average fuel economy standard (miles per gallon)	1978	18.0	1979	19.0	1980	20.0	1981	22.0	1982	24.0	1983	26.0	1984	27.0	1985	27.5	1986	26.0	1987	26.0	1988	26.0	1989	26.5	1990-2010	27.5

(b) For model year 2011, a manufacturer's passenger automobile fleet shall comply with the fleet average fuel economy level calculated for that model year according to Figure 1 to this paragraph (b) and the appropriate values in Table 2 to this paragraph (b).

Where: N is the total number (sum) of passenger automobiles produced by a manufacturer; Ni is the number (sum) of the ith passenger automobile model produced by the manufacturer; and Ti is the fuel economy target of the ith model passenger automobile, which is determined according to the following formula, rounded to the nearest hundredth:

Where: Parameters a, b, c, and d are defined in Table 2 to this paragraph (b); e = 2.718; and x = footprint (in square feet, rounded to the nearest tenth) of the vehicle model.

Table 2 to § 531.5(b)—Parameters for the Passenger Automobile Fuel Economy Targets

Model year	Parameters				a (mpg)	b (mpg)	c (gal/mi/ft 2)	d (gal/mi)	2011	31.20	24.00	51.41	1.91

(c) For model years 2012-2026, a manufacturer's passenger automobile fleet shall comply with the fleet average fuel economy level calculated for that model year (MY) according to Figure 2 to this paragraph (c) and the appropriate values in Table 3 to this paragraph (c).

Where: CAFErequired is the fleet average fuel economy standard for a given fleet (domestic passenger automobiles or import passenger automobiles); Subscript i is a designation of multiple groups of automobiles, where each group's designation, i.e., i = 1, 2, 3, etc., represents automobiles that share a unique model type and footprint within the applicable fleet, either domestic passenger automobiles or import passenger automobiles; Productioni is the number of passenger automobiles produced for sale in the United States within each ith designation, i.e., which share the same model type and footprint; and TARGETi is the fuel economy target in miles per gallon (mpg) applicable to the footprint of passenger automobiles within each ith designation, i.e., which share the same model type and footprint, calculated according to Figure 3 to this paragraph (c) and rounded to the nearest hundredth of a mpg, i.e., 35.455 = 35.46 mpg, and the summations in the numerator and denominator are both performed over all models in the fleet in question.

Where: TARGET is the fuel economy target (in mpg) applicable to vehicles of a given footprint (FOOTPRINT, in square feet); Parameters a, b, c, and d are defined in Table 3 to this paragraph (c); and The MIN and MAX functions take the minimum and maximum, respectively, of the included values.

Table 3 to § 531.5(c)—Parameters for the Passenger Automobile Fuel Economy Targets

[MYs 2012-2026]

Model year	Parameters				a (mpg)	b (mpg)	c (gal/mi/ft 2)	d (gal/mi)	2012	35.95	27.95	0.0005308	0.006057	2013	36.80	28.46	0.0005308	0.005410	2014	37.75	29.03	0.0005308	0.004725	2015	39.24	29.90	0.0005308	0.003719	2016	41.09	30.96	0.0005308	0.002573	2017	43.61	32.65	0.0005131	0.001896	2018	45.21	33.84	0.0004954	0.001811	2019	46.87	35.07	0.0004783	0.001729	2020	48.74	36.47	0.0004603	0.001643	2021	49.48	37.02	0.000453	0.00162	2022	50.24	37.59	0.000447	0.00159	2023	51.00	38.16	0.000440	0.00157	2024	55.44	41.48	0.000405	0.00144	2025	60.26	45.08	0.000372	0.00133	2026	66.95	50.09	0.000335	0.00120

(d) In addition to the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, each manufacturer shall also meet the minimum fleet standard for domestically manufactured passenger automobiles expressed in Table 4 to this paragraph (d):

Table 4 to § 531.5(d)—Minimum Fuel Economy Standards for Domestically Manufactured Passenger Automobiles

[MYs 2011-2026]

Model year	Minimum standard	2011	27.8	2012	30.7	2013	31.4	2014	32.1	2015	33.3	2016	34.7	2017	36.7	2018	38.0	2019	39.4	2020	40.9	2021	39.9	2022	40.6	2023	41.1	2024	44.3	2025	48.1	2026	53.5

(e) The following manufacturers shall comply with the standards indicated in paragraphs (e)(1) through (15) of this section for the specified model years:

(1) Avanti Motor Corporation.

Table 5 to § 531.5(e)(1)—Average Fuel Economy Standards

Model year	Miles per gallon	1978	16.1	1979	14.5	1980	15.8	1981	18.2	1982	18.2	1983	16.9	1984	16.9	1985	16.9

(2) Rolls-Royce Motors, Inc.

Table 6 to § 531.5(e)(2)—Average Fuel Economy Standards

Model year	Miles per gallon	1978	10.7	1979	10.8	1980	11.1	1981	10.7	1982	10.6	1983	9.9	1984	10.0	1985	10.0	1986	11.0	1987	11.2	1988	11.2	1989	11.2	1990	12.7	1991	12.7	1992	13.8	1993	13.8	1994	13.8	1995	14.6	1996	14.6	1997	15.1	1998	16.3	1999	16.3

(3) Checker Motors Corporation.

Table 7 to § 531.5(e)(3)—Average Fuel Economy Standards

Model year	Miles per gallon	1978	17.6	1979	16.5	1980	18.5	1981	18.3	1982	18.4

(4) Aston Martin Lagonda Limited.

Table 8 to § 531.5(e)(4)—Average Fuel Economy Standard

Model year	(Miles per gallon)	1979	11.5	1980	12.1	1981	12.2	1982	12.2	1983	11.3	1984	11.3	1985	11.4	2008	19.0	2009	18.6	2010	19.2	2011	19.1	2012	19.2	2013	20.1	2014	19.7	2015	19.8	2016	20.2	2017	21.4	2018	22.9	2019	22.4	2020	22.6	2021	24.9	2022	24.9	2023	24.9

(5) Excalibur Automobile Corporation.

Table 9 to § 531.5(e)(5)—Average Fuel Economy Standards

Model year	Miles per gallon	1978	11.5	1979	11.5	1980	16.2	1981	17.9	1982	17.9	1983	16.6	1984	16.6	1985	16.6

(6) Lotus Cars Ltd.

Table 10 to § 531.5(e)(6)—Average Fuel Economy Standards

Model year	Miles per gallon	1994	24.2	1995	23.3

(7) Officine Alfieri Maserati, S.p.A.

Table 11 to § 531.5(e)(7)—Average Fuel Economy Standard

Model year	Miles per gallon	1978	12.5	1979	12.5	1980	9.5	1984	17.9	1985	16.8

(8) Lamborghini of North America.

Table 12 to § 531.5(e)(8)—Average Fuel Economy Standard

Model year	Miles per gallon	1983	13.7	1984	13.7

(9) LondonCoach Co., Inc.

Table 13 to § 531.5(e)(9)—Average Fuel Economy Standard

Model year	Miles per gallon	1985	21.0	1986	21.0	1987	21.0

(10) Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A./Vector Aeromotive Corporation.

Table 14 § 531.5(e)(10)—Average Fuel Economy Standard

Model year	Miles per gallon	1995	12.8	1996	12.6	1997	12.5

(11) Dutcher Motors, Inc.

Table 15 to § 531.5(e)(11)—Average Fuel Economy Standard

Model year	Miles per gallon	1986	16.0	1987	16.0	1988	16.0	1992	17.0	1993	17.0	1994	17.0	1995	17.0

(12) MedNet, Inc.

Table 16 to § 531.5(e)(12)—Average Fuel Economy Standard

Model year	Average fuel economy standard (miles per gallon)	1996	17.0	1997	17.0	1998	17.0

(13) Vector Aeromotive Corporation.

Table 17 to § 531.5(e)(13)—Average Fuel Economy Standard

Model year	Miles per gallon	1998	12.1

(14) Qvale Automotive Group Srl.

Table 18 to § 531.5(e)(14)—Average Fuel Economy Standard

Model year	Miles per gallon	2000	22.0	2001	22.0

(15) Spyker Automobielen B.V.

Table 19 to § 531.5(e)(15)—Average Fuel Economy Standard

Model year	(Miles per gallon)	2006	18.9	2007	18.9	2008	19.6	2009	19.6	2010	20.7

(16) Ferrari.

Table 20 to § 531.5(e)(16)—Average Fuel Economy Standard

Model year	(Miles per gallon)	2016	21.7	2017	21.5	2018	21.6	2020	21.1

(17) Koenigsegg.

Table 21 to § 531.5(e)(17)—Average Fuel Economy Standard

Model year	(Miles per gallon)	2015	16.7	2018	16.7	2019	16.6	2020	16.6	2021	16.6	2022	16.9	2023	16.9

(18) McLaren.

Table 22 to § 531.5(e)(18)—Average Fuel Economy Standard

Model year	(Miles per gallon)	2012	23.2	2013	24.0	2014	23.8	2015	22.9	2016	23.2	2017	24.3	2018	23.3	2019	22.5	2020	22.5	2021	21.5	2022	24.6	2023	25.7

(19) Mobility Ventures.

Table 23 to § 531.5(e)(19)—Average Fuel Economy Standard

Model year	(Miles per gallon)	2014	19.6	2015	20.1	2016	20.1

(20) Pagani.

Table 24 to § 531.5(e)(20)—Average Fuel Economy Standard

Model year	(Miles per gallon)	2014	15.6	2016	15.6	2017	15.6	2018	15.6	2019	15.5	2020	15.5	2021	15.5	2022	15.5	2023	15.5

[87 FR 26070, May 2, 2022, as amended at 89 FR 12756, Feb. 20, 2024]

§ 531.6 - Measurement and calculation procedures.

(a) The fleet average fuel economy performance of all passenger automobiles that are manufactured by a manufacturer in a model year shall be determined in accordance with procedures established by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under 49 U.S.C. 32904 and set forth in 40 CFR part 600.

(b) For model years 2017 and later, a manufacturer is eligible to increase the fuel economy performance of passenger cars in accordance with procedures established by the EPA set forth in 40 CFR part 600, subpart F, including any adjustments to fuel economy the EPA allows, such as for fuel consumption improvements related to air conditioning efficiency and off-cycle technologies. Manufacturers must provide reporting on these technologies as specified in § 537.7 of this chapter by the required deadlines.

(1) Efficient air conditioning technologies. A manufacturer that seeks to increase its fleet average fuel economy performance through the use of technologies that improve the efficiency of air conditioning systems must follow the requirements in 40 CFR 86.1868-12. Fuel consumption improvement values resulting from the use of those air conditioning systems must be determined in accordance with 40 CFR 600.510-12(c)(3)(i).

(2) Off-cycle technologies on EPA's predefined list or using 5-cycle testing. A manufacturer that seeks to increase its fleet average fuel economy performance through the use of off-cycle technologies must follow the requirements in 40 CFR 86.1869-12. A manufacturer is eligible to gain fuel consumption improvements for predefined off-cycle technologies in accordance with 40 CFR 86.1869-12(b) or for technologies tested using the EPA's 5-cycle methodology in accordance with 40 CFR 86.1869-12(c). The fuel consumption improvement is determined in accordance with 40 CFR 600.510-12(c)(3)(ii).

(3) Off-cycle technologies using the alternative EPA-approved methodology. A manufacturer is eligible to increase its fuel economy performance through use of an off-cycle technology requiring an application request made to the EPA in accordance with 40 CFR 86.1869-12(d).

(i) Eligibility under the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) program requires compliance with paragraphs (b)(3)(i)(A) through (C) of this section. Paragraphs (b)(3)(i)(A), (B), and (D) of this section apply starting in model year 2024.

(A) A manufacturer seeking to increase its fuel economy performance using the alternative methodology for an off-cycle technology, if prior to the applicable model year, the manufacturers submits to EPA a detailed analytical plan and is approved (i.e., for its planned test procedure and model types for demonstration) in accordance with 40 CFR 86.1869-12(d).

(B) A manufacturer seeking to increase its CAFE program fuel economy performance using the alternative methodology for an off-cycle technology must also submit an official credit application to EPA and obtain approval in accordance with 40 CFR 86.1869-12(e) prior to September of the given model year.

(C) A manufacturer's plans, applications and requests approved by the EPA must be made in consultation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To expedite NHTSA's consultation with the EPA, a manufacturer must concurrently submit its application to NHTSA if the manufacturer is seeking off-cycle fuel economy improvement values under the CAFE program for those technologies. For off-cycle technologies that are covered under 40 CFR 86.1869-12(d), NHTSA will consult with the EPA regarding NHTSA's evaluation of the specific off-cycle technology to ensure its impact on fuel economy and the suitability of using the off-cycle technology to adjust the fuel economy performance.

(D) A manufacturer may request an extension from NHTSA for more time to obtain an EPA approval. Manufacturers should submit their requests 30 days before the deadlines in paragraphs (b)(3)(i)(A) through (C) of this section. Requests should be submitted to NHTSA's Director of the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance at [email protected].

(ii) Review and approval process. NHTSA will provide to EPA its views on the suitability of using the off-cycle technology to adjust vehicle fuel economy performance. NHTSA's evaluation and review will consider:

(A) Whether the technology has a direct impact upon improving fuel economy performance;

(B) Whether the technology is related to crash-avoidance technologies, safety critical systems or systems affecting safety-critical functions, or technologies designed for the purpose of reducing the frequency of vehicle crashes;

(C) Information from any assessments conducted by the EPA related to the application, the technology and/or related technologies; and

(D) Any other relevant factors.

(iii) Safety. (A) Technologies found to be defective or non-compliant, subject to recall pursuant to part 573 of this chapter, due to a risk to motor vehicle safety, will have the values of approved off-cycle credits removed from the manufacturer's credit balance or adjusted to the population of vehicles the manufacturer remedies as required by 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301. NHTSA will consult with the manufacturer to determine the amount of the adjustment.

(B) Approval granted for innovative and off-cycle technology credits under NHTSA's fuel efficiency program does not affect or relieve the obligation to comply with the Vehicle Safety Act (49 U.S.C. Chapter 301), including the “make inoperative” prohibition (49 U.S.C. 30122), and all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSSs) issued thereunder (part 571 of this chapter). In order to generate off-cycle or innovative technology credits manufacturers must state—

(1) That each vehicle equipped with the technology for which they are seeking credits will comply with all applicable FMVSS(s); and

(2) Whether or not the technology has a fail-safe provision. If no fail-safe provision exists, the manufacturer must explain why not and whether a failure of the innovative technology would affect the safety of the vehicle.

Appendix A - Appendix A to Part 531—Example of Calculating Compliance Under § 531.5(c)

Assume a hypothetical manufacturer (Manufacturer X) produces a fleet of domestic passenger automobiles in MY 2012 as follows:

Appendix A—Table I

Model type				Description	Actual measured fuel economy (mpg)	Volume	Group	Carline name	Basic engine (L)	Transmission class	1	PC A FWD	1.8	A5	2-door sedan	34.0	1,500	2	PC A FWD	1.8	M6	2-door sedan	34.6	2,000	3	PC A FWD	2.5	A6	4-door wagon	33.8	2,000	4	PC A AWD	1.8	A6	4-door wagon	34.4	1,000	5	PC A AWD	2.5	M6	2-door hatchback	32.9	3,000	6	PC B RWD	2.5	A6	4-door wagon	32.2	8,000	7	PC B RWD	2.5	A7	4-door sedan	33.1	2,000	8	PC C AWD	3.2	A7	4-door sedan	30.6	5,000	9	PC C FWD	3.2	M6	2-door coupe	28.5	3,000	Total						27,500

Note to Table I to this appendix: Manufacturer X's required fleet average fuel economy standard level would first be calculated by determining the fuel economy targets applicable to each unique model type and footprint combination for model type groups 1-9 as illustrated in Table II to this appendix.

Manufacturer X calculates a fuel economy target standard for each unique model type and footprint combination.

Appendix A—Table II

Model type				Description	Base tire size	Wheelbase (inches)	Track width F&R average (inches)	Footprint (ft 2)	Volume	Fuel economy target standard (mpg)	Group	Carline name	Basic engine (L)	Transmission class	1	PC A FWD	1.8	A5	2-door sedan	205/75R14	99.8	61.2	42.4	1,500	35.01	2	PC A FWD	1.8	M6	2-door sedan	215/70R15	99.8	60.9	42.2	2,000	35.14	3	PC A FWD	2.5	A6	4-door wagon	215/70R15	100.0	60.9	42.3	2,000	35.08	4	PC A AWD	1.8	A6	4-door wagon	235/60R15	100.0	61.2	42.5	1,000	35.95	5	PC A AWD	2.5	M6	2-door hatchback	225/65R16	99.6	59.5	41.2	3,000	35.81	6	PC B RWD	2.5	A6	4-door wagon	265/55R18	109.2	66.8	50.7	8,000	30.33	7	PC B RWD	2.5	A7	4-door sedan	235/65R17	109.2	67.8	51.4	2,000	29.99	8	PC C AWD	3.2	A7	4-door sedan	265/55R18	111.3	67.8	52.4	5,000	29.52	9	PC C FWD	3.2	M6	2-door coupe	225/65R16	111.3	67.2	51.9	3,000	29.76	Total									27,500

Note to Table II to this appendix: With the appropriate fuel economy targets determined for each unique model type and footprint combination, Manufacturer X's required fleet average fuel economy standard would be calculated as illustrated in Figure 1 to this appendix.

Note to Figure 2 to this appendix:

Since the actual fleet average fuel economy performance of Manufacturer X's fleet is 32.0 mpg, as compared to its required fleet fuel economy standard of 31.6 mpg, Manufacturer X complied with the CAFE standard for MY 2012 as set forth in § 531.5(c).