Current fuel economy and tailpipe emission regulations are going through a rewrite within the Trump Administration in hopes of easing rules placed upon automakers. Finalization of the new rules could happen as soon as March; however, that’s not before automakers voiced their corners and opinions on the matter before a Friday midnight deadline, according to Bloomberg.Â
Automakers both foreign and domestic weighed in with particular attention to California and its ability to self-regulate tailpipe emissions and mandate EV sales. General Motors voiced its opinion as well. The Detroit automaker said it’d like to see a 50-state zero-emission vehicle law molded after California’s; however, the automaker added California should compromise, too.Â
General Motors officials went on to say the new rules “should not require high-cost investment in marginal internal combustion engine improvements that customers are not willing to pay for and that divert resources from the further development of electrification,” according to Bloomberg. Rather oppositely, General Motors also filed for easier emissions laws while proposing a zero emissions mandate.
The automaker also asked for a new national building code that would require all new single-family and multi-unit construction to include support for EV charging.Â
Other automakers also urged California and the administration to negotiate and compromise on a new set of regulations. Part of the administration’s proposed changes includes revoking California’s ability to self-regulate. However, if the revocation is successful, years of legal challenges could create a patchwork of tailpipe emissions regulations across the country, making the manufacturing and sale of vehicles complicated for automakers.Â
Automakers were initially supportive of rewriting regulations; however, many have since relented, voicing support for California’s regulatory ability and for both sides to negotiate on the new rules.Â
Even if the government eases regulations, General Motors and others have said regulation changes would not alter plans to design and build more efficient cars and trucks.Â
Comments
Just back off the emissions to meet Europe standards which would grant a 10% boost in economy. Then run everyone on compression ignition which would be cleaner than electric any day.
It might be time for General Motors to replace CEO Mary Barra so that the company can speak in a single coherent voice as Barra voices her objections about the Trump Admin lifting emissions standards yet Barra speaks against the Obama Admin requirements for fuel mileage improvements as logic suggests if Barra is against the higher fuel mileage numbers of the Obama Admin then she should welcome the Trump Admin’s rollback of emission standards and mileage numbers unless the target is stop building gas powered cars and only have electric which is a big gamble.
GM spent billions on electric cars because they figured the obama MPG rules were going to stay in place because they believed Hillary was going to be the next president. trump being elected changed everything and GM wonders where they are going to sell all those bolts they need to sell for a ROI
The subbject of GM corporate announcements are to make headlines and bring in sales. Boimgs CEO was approached about making hybrid jets, and he said jet fuel right now is the best source of power instead of pointing out how ineffective a hybrid jet would be
I wish the govt would just leave the automotive industry alone, let the customers determine what gets purchased. If gas guzzler cars and trucks sit on lots for months then manufacturers will stop making them and move on to more fuel efficient vehicles!
There is no need to have regulations for it!
The truth is they want a global, stable regulation to meet.
Right now they are not only facing different regulations between states but also different regulations depending on who is elected.
In Europe now it is not just different between countries but cities.
Each regulation takes a whole set of testing and tuning that can lead to millions of dollars for each one.
With global rules Electric will be playing a part as ICE will be banned.
GM is in a good place to meet them all but they would like to narrow it down to stable standards so they do not have the expense of meeting each and every different regulation.
Trumps EPA can change the rules today but in two to 6 years the next guy can change it again. This is why they just want to lock in what they have now.
question on the battery warranties. are they pro rated like a regular battery or is a replacement under warranty free ???
Good question as ice engines are not pro rated