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U.S. May Freeze Fuel Economy Rules in 2021

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it may halt further hikes in fuel economy standards at the 41 mpg goal set for in 2021 rather than continue to raise them annually through 2025 to about 50 mpg as currently mandated, Reuters reports.
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it may halt further hikes in fuel economy standards at the 41 mpg goal set for in 2021 rather than continue to raise them annually through 2025 to about 50 mpg as currently mandated, Reuters reports.

Early this year the outgoing Obama administration deemed the 2025 goals feasible, citing fuel economy trends and a review of previous technology assessments. Sticking with the plan would cost $200 billion over 13 years but save $1.7 trillion in fuel, according to the appraisal.

But carmakers complained the Obama administration’s assessment was hasty and incomplete. Incoming President Trump agreed and ordered a new review.

Federal law requires NHTSA to set “maximum feasible” fuel economy goals. But doing so hinges upon an assessment of economics and technology, both of which can be skewed by the ideological perspective of the assessors.

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