Carmakers Want Consistency in Emission Standards
Automakers want the White House and California to agree on one set of standards.
Jun 10, 2019
LOCATION – Seventeen of the world’s largest automakers want the White House and the state of California to come up with on one set of greenhouse gas standards for cars. California has stuck to its tougher regulations while the Trump administration has pushed to roll back rules. Automakers just want “common sense compromise,” says NPR.
Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen and others are all on the same page. They sent a letter to the White House expressing that auto industry jobs are at stake. They sent another to California Gov. Gavin Newsom to say that a single nationwide standard would reduce emissions more effectively than several.
It’s been a battle between California and the federal government for the past two years. When President Trump took office, he froze the rules at the current rate, which required carmakers to hit a fleet average of 37 mpg. Under President Obama, however, the average fuel efficiency was on track to hit 54.5 mpg across their fleet of cars with consistent increases until 2025.
California, and every state, has the power to set its own standards for vehicle emissions. And it has done so to push for stricter environmental regulations. However, the Trump administration has announced intentions to block the state from enforcing its stricter standards.
Stuck in the middle are automakers that want a single nationwide policy. They say the inconsistency and battles between the two parties could hurt the industry and make cars more expensive. Automakers are also hoping that California accepts regulations that aren’t as strict.
