U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Will Relax Automotive Fuel Efficiency Standards

According to foreign media reports, the Trump administration overturned an Obama-era plan to improve fuel efficiency on Monday, which initiated a long-lasting process to reduce current efficiency standards. This move also caused California and the federal government to confront each other in the issue of vehicle exhaust emissions.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director Scott Pruitt said in a statement that the current fuel efficiency standards for the model from 2022 to 2025 are not appropriate and need to be modified. He also added that the average fuel efficiency standard set by the Obama era was "too high," and "the setting of the standards does not match reality," but details of the changes were not disclosed.

The current standards are very stringent and require that the average fuel efficiency of new vehicles should double to 50 miles per gallon (about 80 kilometers) by 2025. Proponents of the standard believe that this will promote innovation in clean technology.

For a long time, California has a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency, which can implement more stringent standards than the federal regulations for certain automotive pollutant emissions. Twelve states, including New York State, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, follow California's regulations for eco-cars. This also led to a battle for fuel efficiency between California and the Trump administration. California has the largest population in the United States and the largest car market.

Pruitt strongly supports the state's rights to regulate itself, but he opposes California's efforts to promote environmentally friendly cars. The Environmental Protection Agency said it is reassessing California’s immunity from its state fuel emissions standards. Pruitt also stated that "it is in the interest of the United States to establish a unified standard."

California Governor Jerry Brown attacked the EPA. He said, "This is the abuse of power that will lead to air pollution and damage the health of the American people." Mary Nichols, chairman of the California Air Resources Board, also said, "We will endeavor to maintain the existing clean car standards."

Gloria Bergquist, spokesperson for the American Automobile Manufacturers Alliance, believes that Pruitt made the right decision. The government’s move will not only improve fuel efficiency, but also “sell new cars to more Americans at more affordable prices.”

It is reported that changes in fuel efficiency standards will affect many car companies, including Ford, General Motors, Tesla and so on.