Automakers Respond Favorably to National Emission Standards
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In an odd turn of events, automakers are responding favorably to national emission standards. President Barack Obama’s announcement that there will be national standards for vehicle emissions is actually garnering support from automakers. While automakers have fought tighter emission standards in the past, they are welcome efforts for a national standard. The new standards will include the following:
- Emissions should be curtailed 30% by 2016.
- Overall fuel efficiency for cars and light trucks should improve to 35 miles per gallon by 2016.
The move offers true clarity on the issue, and provides the auto industry with information it needs to create future car lines. The Street reports that automakers are dropping legal action against states that wanted to impose tougher standards:
In response to the new plan, automakers are expected to drop litigation against California and other states that had been an effort to block state-specific emissions rules. In addition to California, thirteen states and the District of Columbia had joined forces in an attempt to put emissions rules on their books that were tougher than the federal standards.
If the automakers can survive the recession, this could mean a change in the way the do business. Until now, most automakers have lobbied hard to protect the status quo and fought to prevent measures that would have forced them to build more efficient cars. Now, however, with the gas debacle of last summer and the recession, it appears that automakers are beginning to see the value in progressive technology and developing fuel efficient products.
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