U.S. EPA to Revise Proposed Freeze of Vehicle Fuel Economy Rules

California, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Agency/Executive Branch, Federal Regulation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Opinions, Policy, Transportation

April 12, 2019

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by David Shepardson (Reuters) The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday the agency would revise its proposed freeze of vehicle fuel economy standards before unveiling its final regulation in the coming months.

In August, the EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed freezing requirements for new cars and trucks at 2020 levels through 2026 but EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in an interview at the agency’s headquarters “our final regulation is not going to be the same as our proposal.”

“We’ve taken constructive comments, criticisms, concerns from a whole host of different interest groups,” Wheeler said. “I hope our final regulation is something that everybody can get behind and support.”

Two U.S. officials briefed on the matter said they expected the EPA to wind up requiring a small increase in the yearly fuel efficiency gains, likely around mid-June, but said the precise figure had not been finalized.

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The administration’s proposed changes would also strip California of the ability to impose its own state emissions standards or require a rising number of electric vehicles.

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Wheeler denied the rules were written at the behest of oil industry lobbyists.

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Automakers like General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co and Toyota Motor Corp oppose a freeze but want requirements reduced to account for changes in oil prices and consumer demand. All have pushed for a compromise deal to head off years of legal uncertainty.

The White House in February ended talks with California to try to reach a deal. READ MORE

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