Review of Federal Agencies’ Analysis for Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas Standards

NHTSA plans to conduct a joint mid-term review with the EPA to evaluate if technology development and implementation is on track to help automakers meet CAFE/GHG standards.  An independent National Research Council report released on June 18, 2015 sponsored by NHTSA to inform the review found the following:

1.  Analysis used by federal agencies to set standards for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions for new U.S. light-duty vehicles — passenger cars and light trucks — from 2017 to 2025 was thorough and of high caliber overall

2. The fuel and gas standards will lead the nation’s light-duty vehicle fleet to become lighter, while maintaining the same safety standards.

3. In an upcoming mid-term review the agency should re-examine certain issues – such as consumer behavior, the effectiveness of certain technologies, and the effects of new standards.

The report also recommended that the agencies monitor the effects of the new fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards by collecting data on fuel efficiency, vehicle footprint, the mix of car sizes in the fleet, and the price of new vehicles to understand the impact of the rules on consumers’ choices and manufacturers’ products offered, the report says.  In addition, NHTSA and EPA, perhaps in collaboration with other federal agencies, should also conduct an ongoing, scientifically designed survey of cars’ real-world fuel economy, since the performance of some new technologies, particularly hybrid powertrains and turbocharged, downsized engines, may deviate to a greater degree from CAFE label and compliance values than other technologies.

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