Trump administration moves to unwind Obama-era truck engine efficiency rules

Why it matters: The Trump administration said it is reshaping how future Class 8 trucks are engineered to meet federal fuel-efficiency requirements. The Trump administration is beginning the process of unwinding federal fuel-efficiency regulations for standalone truck engines and other components. The White House said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration exceeded its legal authority under a regulatory framework expanded during the Obama administration in 2016, according to a news release . NHTSA announced Friday that it has adopted a new interpretation of federal law limiting the agency’s authority to regulating the fuel efficiency of complete medium- and heavy-duty vehicles — rather than separately regulating engines, transmissions, tires and other vehicle components. The action does not eliminate federal fuel-efficiency requirements for commercial trucks.