South Michigan News

Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI-5), Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) are leading a group of 120 lawmakers in demanding the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) withdraw its proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light trucks. The lawmakers argue that the proposed standards do not comply with federal law and would place an unrealistic burden on automakers.

The proposed CAFE standards would require automakers to double their average fleet-wide fuel economy to 58 miles per gallon by 2032 or face significant penalties for non-compliance. However, the lawmakers contend that the standards are flawed because they take into account the fuel economy of electric vehicles (EVs), which is prohibited by federal statute.

In a letter addressed to NHTSA, Congressman Walberg and his colleagues state, "federal statute expressly prohibits NHTSA from considering the fuel economy of EVs when determining maximum feasible CAFE standards for passenger cars and trucks." The letter points out that NHTSA acknowledged this limitation in its proposal, yet still accounted for EVs in its regulatory baseline, leading to unattainable standards for vehicles that solely rely on liquid fuels.

The lawmakers argue that NHTSA should instead focus on market-driven standards that promote competition among various technologies, including both electric and traditional vehicles. They believe that this approach would provide consumers with a wider range of options that meet their preferences and needs while still reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector.

By taking an EV-focused approach, NHTSA risks limiting the availability and access to vehicle and fuel options that better align with consumer demands. The lawmakers emphasize the importance of considering all technologies in order to achieve the statutory objectives of reducing emissions while ensuring consumer satisfaction.

The letter, signed by 77 House members and 43 Senators, can be read in its entirety on Congressman Walberg's website.

This plea from a group of lawmakers reflects the concerns surrounding the proposed CAFE standards and the impact they could have on the automotive industry. As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how NHTSA will respond to this call for withdrawal and whether alternative standards will be proposed to address the lawmakers' concerns.