Consumer Groups Plead For Continued Fuel Economy Standards
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No matter what side of the political aisle you sit on, you know that President Trump has his sights set on government regulations, especially ones from the Environmental Protection Agency that he sees as unnecessary and restrictive to business. One set of regulations in jeopardy is the EPA’s fuel economy standards. This month, the Consumers Union and Consumer Federation of America wrote to the President to urge him to keep the strict regulations for the sake of customers that rely on better fuel economy in a time of fluctuating gas prices.
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The open letter, penned by Shannon Baker-Branstetter of the Consumers Union, was distributed to automotive news outlets and was also mailed to the President at the White House. It was sent on behalf of the aforementioned Consumer’s Union and the Consumer Federation of America. Instead of appealing to the President on behalf of the environment, the groups chose to demonstrate to the president how much cars with improved fuel economy save the average consumer. This is probably for the best, as the Republican Party continues to express doubt in the existence of global warming. According to Ms. Baker Branstetter, “Consumers Union’s research shows that consumers would enjoy net savings of $3,200 per car and $4,800 per truck, over the life of a vehicle that meet the 2025 standards, even at today’s low gas prices.”
The letter goes on to state that the fuel economy standards are being met easily by manufacturers today, with many of them already producing cars that meet 2020 and 2021 standards, and they help the companies be flexible to the demands of consumers when they swing from smaller cars to larger ones. The groups go on to claim that this improved innovation helps protect auto manufacturers from a future of high gas prices, unlike the cars made before the regulations (and with poorer gas mileage) that caused the need for the auto industry bailout in 2009 and costs hundreds, if not thousands, of American autoworker jobs.
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We shall see if this letter is heard as the Trump administration continues to decide what its EPA looks like, and we will keep you informed of changes here at The News Wheel.
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.