House Bill Would Repeal CAFE Standards:

(Bergeson & Campbell) On January 10, 2019, Representative Roger Williams (R-TX) introduced a bill (H.R. 431) that would repeal the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. CAFE standards are set by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and EPA. President Trump last year proposed to freeze CAFE standards at the 2020 level of 37 miles per gallon, down significantly from the agreement to scale up CAFE standards to an estimated 46.8 mpg by 2025 model year vehicles.

The current standards have a notable advantage, as they align the federal standards with those in effect in California, which has the authority under the CAA to set its own low-emission vehicle standards. This alignment allows auto makers and suppliers to make investments with a significant degree of certainty. That clarity is eroding away now that automotive stakeholders are not sure whether or not the 2010 CAFE standards will remain in effect.

Thus far, 13 other states are moving forward with their own low-emission vehicle standards.

On August 24, 2018, NHTSA and EPA proposed a rule to adjust the CAFE and GHG emissions standards for model years (MY) 2021 through 2026 light-duty vehicles. 83 Fed. Reg. 42986. EPA established national GHG emissions standards under the CAA that extend through 2025, and NHTSA established inaugural CAFE standards for MY 2022-2025 vehicles under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA). The most recent semi-annual regulatory agenda for NHTSA indicates an April 2020 promulgation date for the final rule. READ MORE