Think gas prices are too low? Don’t fret, Trump plans to raise them Monday

The Department of Transportation is set to finalize new fuel economy rules that would lower the target for new vehicles from 50.4 miles per gallon down to 34.5 miles per gallon by 2031. Lower fuel economy standards mean cars burn more gas to go the same distance, so the government's own transportation agency estimates the change will raise nationwide fuel costs by $185 billion and increase carbon emissions by 5 percent. A separate Department of Energy analysis found gas prices themselves could rise by 76 cents a gallon under this kind of plan. Combined, that could push average fuel costs up by 45 percent or more, since drivers would need more gallons and each gallon would cost more.

For homeowners, the direct impact is at the gas pump and in a household's overall energy budget, not something tied to a home upgrade or rebate program. But it's a reminder that gasoline costs are becoming less predictable, which is part of why some homeowners look at ways to cut fuel dependence altogether, such as switching to an electric vehicle charged from home, especially if paired with home solar or a lower electricity rate.

This move follows an earlier change that already zeroed out the penalties automakers pay for missing fuel economy targets, so enforcement has been weak for a while. The new rule would make the lower standard official policy. No specific date beyond "Monday" was given for the announcement, and there's no rebate or program tied to this news that homeowners need to act on.