The U.S. federal government has effectively absolved automakers of fuel economy penalties for model year 2022 onwards due to changes implemented by the Trump administration's tax bill. This eliminates potential fines for manufacturers who fail to meet fuel efficiency standards, potentially impacting the development and adoption of more fuel-efficient vehicles. The move has sparked debate, with some arguing it incentivizes continued production of less efficient vehicles, while others claim it provides automakers with greater financial flexibility.