Debate on Fuel-Efficiency Targets Continues

The EPA will announce soon its conclusion that automobile manufacturers can’t meet current fuel-efficiency guidelines.

April 02, 2018

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration will soon roll back fuel-efficiency targets established during Obama’s presidency, the Washington Post reports. President Donald Trump promised last year to relax carbon-emissions limits for SUVs and cars sold during model years 2022 to 2025. However, some automakers, which had been happy with the change, now express concern over complying with two standards—the lower federal one and the stricter California one.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to announce its conclusion that automobile manufacturers will not be able to comply with Obama-era fuel-efficiency guidelines, which stated light trucks and cars would need to average more than 50 miles per gallon overall by 2025.

The EPA, White House and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can’t agree on what the replacement mpg should be. Complicating matters is California’s large share of the U.S. auto market—close to 35%—along with emissions requirements in 12 states and the District of Columbia. California is making noise that it would simply enact separate changes if the Trump administration significantly alters current federal targets.

Last week, Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford and CEO Jim Hackett called for “one set of standards nationally, along with additional flexibility. … We support increasing clean-car standards through 2025 and are not asking for a rollback.” Honda stated that “these policy options help minimize costs to automakers and ultimately consumers. This balanced approach could succeed in satisfying key objectives of EPA, California and industry, and retain the one national program concept which is important to all.”

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt will meet with auto executives early this week to discuss the matter further.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement