EPA Says 54.5 mpg Standard Hasn’t Been Decided
Plans to require a fuel economy fleet average of 54.5 mpg in the U.S. for 2025 have not been finalized, according to the head of the Environmental Protection Agency's air quality office.
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Plans to require a fuel economy fleet average of 54.5 mpg in the U.S. for 2025 have not been finalized, according to the head of the Environmental Protection Agency's air quality office.
Chris Grundler tells attendees at the Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Mich., that a decision to adopt the proposed standard won't be made until after next year's presidential election.
EPA has promised a mid-term evaluation of the target in 2017 that could raise, lower or let the measure stand. The agency is already reviewing data with which to make that decision. Grundler says the analysis will include forecasts about fuel-saving technologies, consumer buying habits and the price of fuel. EPA plans to make a final ruling in April 2018.
Several carmakers are ahead of schedule to reach the 54.5-mpg target, according to Grundler. He notes the complex system proposed for calculating compliance for each carmaker's fleet would automatically adjust to match shifts in the sale mix, declaring that "We are not forcing everyone into small cars."
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