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Minnesota AG coalition challenges NHTSA fuel-economy rule

National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationOctober 2, 2026Minnesota Attorney General

Summary

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and a coalition of 26 states, counties, and cities filed a lawsuit challenging NHTSA’s rule weakening fuel-economy standards for new cars and light trucks. The coalition alleges the rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act; the press release describes a lawsuit filing, not a monetary penalty or final judgment.

Contract Impact

This is an automotive regulatory lawsuit, not a privacy enforcement action, so it does not establish new privacy-contract requirements. Automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and fleet purchasers should review supplier and procurement agreements for CAFE compliance responsibilities, fuel-economy specifications and representations, supporting data and reporting duties, allocation of regulatory-change costs, and warranties or indemnities tied to vehicle efficiency and regulatory compliance. Privacy-related vendor, customer, and employee clauses are not directly implicated by the release.

Contract Search Terms

CAFE compliance obligationsfuel economy representationsvehicle efficiency warrantiesfleet fuel-economy reportingregulatory change clauseautomotive supplier compliancevehicle procurement specifications

Laws Cited

Administrative Procedure ActEnergy Policy and Conservation Act

Violation Types

Entity Details

Entity

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Industry

Automotive

Multistate Coalition

CaliforniaArizonaColoradoConnecticutDelawareHawai‘iIllinoisMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaOregonRhode IslandVermontWashingtonWisconsinDistrict of ColumbiaCity of ChicagoCity and County of DenverCity of New YorkCity and County of San Francisco

Official Sources

Source Evidence

Entity Name
"the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration"
Violation Types
"allege that NHTSA’s final rule is arbitrary and capricious and violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act."
Laws Cited
"the Administrative Procedure Act and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act"
Event Date
"October 2, 2026"
Is Multistate
"joined a coalition of 26 states, counties, and cities"

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Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of states and local governments in filing suit against NHTSA over its rule weakening fuel economy standards for new passenger cars and light trucks. The lawsuit alleges the rule violates the agency’s statutory mandate and the Administrative Procedure Act; no penalty or final remedy is reported.

CO

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