On January 14, 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published an interim rule delaying an increase in civil penalties for failing to meet fuel efficiency standards. The penalty rate was scheduled to rise from $5.50 to $14 in model year 2021. The interim rule delays the increase until model year 2022. Comments on the interim rule will be accepted until January 25.
In 2019 NHTSA issued a final rule to freeze the penalty rate at $5.50. That rule was vacated by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.