Auto Industry Insiders Prefer to Keep 2025 CAFE Standards In Place

The Republican control of the White House and both houses of Congress has swept in a climate of regulatory reform ready to reverse the Obama mandated Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard of 54.5 miles per gallon by the year 2025 for manufacturers selling cars in the US.

As the Environmental Protection Agency nears the completion of a study at the end of this month on whether to loosen up these fuel efficiency targets, automotive industry insiders seem overwhelmingly in favor of keeping the stringent CAFE standards in place. 

According to a recent survey by CALSTART an auto tech group that helps business, fleets, and government to develop and implement clean, efficient transportation solutions, 80 percent of top tier suppliers to the auto makers want to maintain or strengthen current fuel economy standards.

Based on their findings, the current ambitious fuel economy standards have resulted in a stronger competitive environment, the creation of good paying new jobs and more business  investment.

Moreover the CALSTART study suggests that the growth being enjoyed by companies in the auto sector could be stalled and even eroded if the current standards are lowered.