Tesla has urged the US government to make stricter fuel economy standards than the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed.
The NHTSA proposed 2% and 4% Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) increments for trucks and SUVs annually, respectively, between 2027 and 2032. However, Tesla wants the agency to do more by pegging the increments at 6% and 8% annually. Its reasoning is the higher increment would better conserve energy and address climate change, as reported by Reuters.
On the other side of the divide are legacy automakers who criticized the NHTSA’s proposal as unreasonable. The group, including General Motors, Toyota, and Volkswagen, wants the agency to review the proposal.
In support of the carmakers is the American Automotive Policy Council, which has also asked the NHTSA to slash the proposed fuel economy increase by half for trucks. The group claims the proposal, as it stands, will disproportionately affect truck fleet operation, adding that 83% of the Detroit Three automakers’ production are trucks.
The NHTSA, however, has responded that the new rule is meant to help Americans save money on fuel costs and help America attain energy independence. It added that the proposal would help the nation save more than $18 billion.
