EMISSIONS STANDARDS—Washington D.C. – The Trump Administration said Monday that car manufacturers will no longer receive credits toward vehicle emissions standards for installing start-stop technology, which automatically shuts off engines at red lights, according to a ruling by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Emissions Standards Impact
The decision affects how car manufacturers comply with federal emissions standards, which are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. According to the EPA, the start-stop technology was previously considered an emissions-reducing feature, eligible for credits under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.
Manufacturers such as General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV have widely adopted start-stop technology in their vehicles. The technology can improve fuel efficiency by up to 5%, depending on driving conditions, according to the EPA.
Industry Reaction
Automakers have not yet publicly commented on the ruling, but industry groups such as the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers have previously expressed concerns about the potential impact of changing emissions standards on the industry. The Alliance has argued that the standards should be based on a single national program to provide regulatory certainty for manufacturers.
Regulatory Background
The vehicle emissions standards were established by the EPA under the Clean Air Act. The CAFE standards, which are administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, require automakers to meet minimum fuel economy standards for their fleets of vehicles. The standards have been the subject of controversy and litigation in recent years, with some arguing that they are too stringent and others arguing that they do not go far enough to address climate change.
