Washington, June 10 (RHC)-- Environmental groups are criticizing the Biden administration for weakening a plan to make gas-powered SUVs and pickup trucks more fuel efficient. 

Last year, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration proposed hiking the average fuel economy standards for the vehicles to 58 miles per gallon by 2032. 

But under rules issued by the White House, the figure has been cut to 50 miles per gallon — just a small increase from the current standard. 

Dan Becker of the Center for Biological Diversity said the new rule will leave automakers free to “make cars, SUVs and pickups that will guzzle and pollute for decades and keep America stuck on oil.”