Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
web
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • International Elastomer Show
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • ITEC
    • Opinion
    • Technical Notebooks
    • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Starting young: Rubber Division targets high schools to fill talent gap
      ChemSpec enjoying busy 2019 with new agreements, division
      view gallery
      18 photos
      Rubber Division honors leaders, students at Business and Awards Meeting
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Rubber Division wraps up 2019 International Elastomer Conference
    • As e-commerce grows, companies seek best ways to get products to customers
      ContiTech acquires CRP's belt kits program
      Firestone air spring looks to lighten the load in China
      Auto parts makers pay $23 million to settle price fixing case
    • As e-commerce grows, companies seek best ways to get products to customers
      Steelastic names new president
      Tyromer appoints chair of board
      In the workplace, two languages are spoken
    • As e-commerce grows, companies seek best ways to get products to customers
      Reveyron partners with Beltservice for distribution
      ContiTech acquires CRP's belt kits program
      Firestone air spring looks to lighten the load in China
    • Maroon unit Addipel moves to larger site in Ohio
      AMBA files formal request to bring back tariffs on Chinese molds
      Corporate responsibility a global venture for Chemours
      Steelastic names new president
    • Steelastic names new president
      Tyromer appoints chair of board
      Kent Elastomer promotes two
      3D specialist Carbon hires former DuPont CEO Kullman as new leader
    • AMBA files formal request to bring back tariffs on Chinese molds
      Auto parts makers pay $23 million to settle price fixing case
      USTMA aims to raise scrap tire recovery rate
      Aeolus, Onyx discussing truck, bus tire joint venture in Sri Lanka
    • Goodyear finds traction with soybean oil
      Cassioli expands with sales office in Alabama
      Rodolfo Comerio looks forward as it celebrates past
      Editorial: Innovation often follows its own path, timetable
    • Column: Lessons from Best Places to Work
      Editorial: Cooper Standard a sign of changing automotive times
      Editorial: Hose industry makes big strides in safety focus
      Column: Meeting new faces at Rubber Expo
    • SSBR, bio-sourced plasticizer for conveyor belt use
      EPDM solution for automotive dense weatherstrip
      High heat resistant EPDMs for auto hose uses
      Rubber standards in today’s world economy
    • Sponsor Content
      Rubber in Transportation and Tire
      Sponsor Content
      Rubber in Wire and Cable
      Sponsor Content
      Process Control Systems Ensure Consistency and Lot Traceability While Protecting Proprietary Formulations
      Sponsor Content
      Reasons for Using Performance Additives
  • Blogs
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
    • New Products: Master Bond rolls out thermally conductive epoxy sealant
      New Products: Lanxess introduces vulcanization accelerator
      Covestro's CO2 technology earns Germany's President's prize
      New Products: LSR 3D printing technology spotlighted at K Show
    • Wacky World of Rubber: Floating ideas for the future of mobility
      Wacky World of Rubber: Goodyear, rubber industry make parade part of Thanksgiving traditions
      Wacky World of Rubber: How to make your own Halloween mask
      Wacky World of Rubber: 'Ode to a Tire'
  • Newsletters
    • Rubber in Automotive
    • Silicone News
    • Latex News
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • As e-commerce grows, companies seek best ways to get products to customers
      ContiTech acquires CRP's belt kits program
      Firestone air spring looks to lighten the load in China
      Auto parts makers pay $23 million to settle price fixing case
    • Starting young: Rubber Division targets high schools to fill talent gap
      Column: Lessons from Best Places to Work
      New Products: LSR 3D printing technology spotlighted at K Show
      Rubber parts makers invest in Central, Eastern Europe
    • Starting young: Rubber Division targets high schools to fill talent gap
      Kent Elastomer promotes two
      Corrie MacColl details landmark collaboration in Cameroon
      Natural rubber producers signal decline in production
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Directory
  • Resources
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data Store
    • Digital Issue
    • White Papers
  • Events
    • RPN Conferences
    • RPN Live
    • Events Calendar
    • Submit an Event
    • Webinars
    • Past Events
  • Advertise
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
July 20, 2016 02:00 AM

54.5 mpg target is off the table, U.S. regulators say

Sharon Silke Carty
Automotive News
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    WASHINGTON—Auto makers have all the tools at their disposal to meet the 54.5 mpg corporate average fuel economy targets for the 2025 model year, but buyer preferences for sport utility vehicles and trucks make it likely that the industry will fall short of that number, U.S. regulators said in a July 18 report.

    The Environmental Protection Agency, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and California Air Resources Board released their draft Technical Assessment Report analyzing costs, technology and other issues involved in the industry's drive toward lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The assessment was scheduled as part of the 2011 agreement to lower emissions in cars and improve fuel economy by the 2025 model year.

    The auto industry is “adopting fuel economy technologies at unprecedented rates,” the government agencies said in a news release. “Car makers and suppliers have developed far more innovative technologies to improve fuel economy and reduce GHG emissions than anticipated just a few years ago.”

    The use of advanced composites and other lightweight materials has gained momentum as a key way to improve vehicle efficiency. In recent years plastics have found new applications throughout the vehicle, from interior components to air hoses in smaller, more efficient turbocharged engines.

    The report also says auto makers have been able to meet the current regulations for about the same cost or even less than the government projected in 2012. And the report says auto makers will be able to meet standards with improvements in standard gasoline engines, and won't need to rely heavily on sales of hybrids or electric cars.

    Even with all those positives, government officials said, the 54.5 mpg goal is off the table. Lower gasoline prices have kept demand for SUVs and trucks higher than originally anticipated, meaning the advances in fuel economy technology won't be reflected fully in the fleet averages, which are sales-weighted.

    Senior administration officials told reporters in a recent conference call that the 54.5 mpg goal was never a mandate but more of an estimate of where the industry could be by the 2025 model year. That estimate was based on an assumption that 67 percent of the market would be cars and 33 percent would be SUVs and trucks.

    But customers haven't moved from their desire to buy SUVs and trucks. Now the government estimates the overall fleet average fuel economy will hit between 50 mpg and 52.6 mpg by the 2025 model year. The new estimates assume a more even split between cars and trucks in the marketplace.

    Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign, said the auto industry has the power to shape consumer preferences through its advertising campaigns and easily could meet the 54.5 mpg target if it stopped aggressively marketing SUVs and trucks.

    “There is no excuse not to improve efficiency and strengthen the standards,” Becker said. “We can't accept backsliding or loopholes that undermine their success just to put more gas-guzzlers on the road.”

    The report is open to public comment for 60 days. EPA will make a final determination on the 2022 to 2025 model year regulations by April 1, 2018.

    Related Articles
    Mazda picks Yokohama tires for compact crossover
    Debate unfolds as fuel economy goals grow near
    Industry blindsided as CAFE fines jump
    Study: U.S. benefits most from auto supplier investments
    U.S. to improve fuel standards for heavy-duty vehicles
    Groups fight FHWA greenhouse gas reduction plan
    California tire recycling bill rejected
    Survey says suppliers value fuel economy standards
    EPA 'fast tracks' regulations for rubber, PU foam chemicals
    EPA issues final rule on hazardous waste export, import
    EPA: Auto makers reach record average fuel economy
    EPA's CO2 ruling puts auto industry in a bind
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber & Plastics News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR FREE NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber & Plastics News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber & Plastics News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    web
    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Contact the Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News Europe
    • Plastics News China
    • Plastics & Rubber World
    • LSR World
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Autoweek
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2019. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • International Elastomer Show
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • ITEC
      • Opinion
      • Technical Notebooks
      • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Blogs
      • Products
      • Wacky World of Rubber
    • Newsletters
      • Rubber in Automotive
      • Silicone News
      • Latex News
      • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Multimedia
      • Videos
      • Photo Galleries
    • Directory
    • Resources
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
      • Data Store
      • Digital Issue
      • White Papers
    • Events
      • RPN Conferences
      • RPN Live
      • Events Calendar
      • Submit an Event
      • Webinars
      • Past Events
    • Advertise