Suppliers Form Group to Defend U.S. Fuel Economy Rules

Companies involved in emission control systems are forming a lobbying group to challenge efforts by the Trump administration to roll back U.S. fuel economy and emission rules.

The Automotive Technology Leadership Group is backed by the Advanced Engine Systems Institute (AESI), Aluminum Institute, Manufacturers of Emission Controls Assn. and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Assn.

Carmakers favor relaxing the regulations scheduled to take effect in 2022-2025. They would lower carbon dioxide emission limits and hike fuel economy targets to the equivalent of about 51 mpg.

The viability of those limits was reviewed and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency in the waning days of the Obama administration. The Trump administration has reopened the review, which must be finalized by April.

Suppliers contend that a regulatory rollback will disrupt investment and eliminate jobs in their sector. “Our companies need a steady path,” says AESI Executive Director Chris Miller. “We want all the regulators to work together with the stakeholders again.”

The alliance acknowledges that “minor tweaks and adjustments” to the standards are likely. But it says significant shifts will create major financial hardships on suppliers by scrapping the advanced emission control technologies they have been developing for years.

The group also suggests that regulators use the current review process to set a single set of nationwide fuel economy targets for 2026-2030.