What Should Future Standards Look Like?

First and foremost, fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards must continue to improve each year, while providing the freedom and incentive to innovate. The standards should allow for several ways to provide real emissions reductions, such as with air conditioning and off-cycle technologies that improve efficiency and lower emissions, while also considering the specific needs of manufacturers, whether full-line or small volume. The standards should consider technology trends and encourage manufacturer investment in advanced technologies that will be needed to meet future environmental goals, like electrification. The government can and should provide the right atmosphere for innovation and leadership to ensure a competitive U.S.-based automotive industry and balance these goals along with priorities like affordability, safety, and the environment.

Not only is the world market shifting to low-carbon transportation, but investments made in today’s products need to be profitable to fund the transformative shift expected in the future. In addition, the United States should aim to be a leader in automotive innovation, which can be supported by smart regulations.

Global Automakers supports strong, achievable standards that account for the needs of the consumer, the environment, and the economy.

What role should California play?

It is critically important that California continue to play a role in creating One National Program to prevent a patchwork of disjointed and costlier regulations. One National Program can also prevent the uncertainty and instability associated with litigation. Failure to come together could have a direct impact on manufacturers’ ability to invest in additional job creation and could mean an increase in vehicle costs in California and other states with California standards.