US EPA proposes to keep 2025 GHG standards unchanged
30 November 2016
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to determine that the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for model years (MY) 2022-2025 light-duty vehicles remain appropriate and that a rulemaking to change them is not warranted. This proposed determination is based on the draft Technical Assessment Report (TAR) issued in July, as well as on input from the auto industry and other stakeholders, and updated analyses, said the agency.
The highlights of the proposed determination are:
- Auto manufacturers can meet the MY 2022-2025 standards at slightly lower per-vehicle costs than predicted in the TAR, and lower costs than predicted in the 2012 rulemaking that established the standards.
- The current standards will save consumers money and provide benefits to the health and welfare of Americans.
- Automakers have a wide range of technology pathways available to meet the standards. Standards are achievable with very low penetration of strong hybrids, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
- Automakers have outperformed the standards for the first four years of the program (MY 2012-2015) and manufacturers are adopting fuel efficient technologies at unprecedented rates, all while vehicle sales have increased for 6 consecutive years. There are over 100 car, SUV, and pickup versions on the market today that already meet 2020 or later standards.
As part of the rulemaking establishing the MY 2017-2025 GHG standards, the EPA committed to conduct a Midterm Evaluation of standards for model years 2022-2025. The public comment period for this action begins today and will end on December 30, 2016. After the comment period, the EPA Administrator will decide whether she has enough information to make a final determination on the MY 2022-2025 standards.
As the final determination is due by April 1, 2018, it will be likely issued by the new EPA Administrator chosen by the US President-elect Trump. The MY 2017-2015 standards call for significant improvements in fuel economy, on the order of 4% per year and higher. Car manufacturers have been concerned that the 2025 targets will be challenging to meet, especially in view of the low gasoline prices and weak demand for electric vehicles.
On November 10th—immediately after the US presidential elections—the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers has petitioned President-elect Trump to revise the fuel efficiency mandates. The automakers urged the incoming administration to find “a pathway forward” on setting final fuel efficiency standards through 2025 and to “harmonize and adjust” the rules.
Source: US EPA