Washington, DC –  Federal light-duty vehicle efficiency standards are encouraging innovation and job growth, and should be maintained according to the nation’s largest clean transportation organization. This view was put forward at a workshop organized to solicit input as to whether the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should adjust the standards.

John Boesel, President and CEO of CALSTART, told agency officials that all industrialized nations have developed vehicle efficiency standards through 2025 that are largely the same and will have the effect of cutting per vehicle fuel consumption in half between 2000 and 2025.

“Policymakers throughout the world – from Beijing to Belgium – have all determined that vehicles should and will get a lot more efficient thru 2025 and beyond. The companies that provide the technology that enable significant reductions in fuel use will be the winners. Staying the course with on the standards will encourage U.S. companies to be more competitive,” said Boesel.

At the workshop Boesel cited a survey of leading automotive suppliers in 2016. The survey showed overwhelming support for maintaining the 2025 standards. Suppliers provide approximately two thirds of all jobs in the U.S. automotive sector.

“The automotive industry remains capital intensive. The suppliers have already made investments and are working toward the 2025 standard. Not only do they want the government to stay the course, they are very supportive of establishing new standards for the period after 2025,” said Boesel.

Since the EPA completed its mid-term evaluation in December 2016, Boesel said that additional innovations and progress have been made that make the standards even more viable.

Boesel also urged the EPA to engage the California Air Resources Board (CARB) immediately as it contemplates possible changes to the current rules. CARB collaborated with EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in establishing a single standard for the entire nation.

“We have heard repeatedly from the car companies that they want CARB at the negotiating table. In creating the current standard, CARB compromised and agreed to a single national standard. The car companies do not want to see California and other states using a separate standard,” said Boesel.

“We have a unique opportunity to work together, to protect the environment, clean-up the air, and create jobs. This is a great time for collaboration and communication. We make this a win-win situation if all parties are at the table,” said Boesel.