Regulators received ‘wake-up call’ over fuel rules, says Fiat Chrysler

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV stated that U.S. regulators have got a “wake-up call” from automakers regarding the hurdles they face in trying to meet increasing Obama-era fuel-efficiency standards.

In day two of a three-day public hearing regarding the Trump administration’s proposal to freeze fuel-efficiency standards at 2020 levels through 2026, automakers prompted regulators to continue to increase fuel requirements but also take into account shifting customer demand.

The Obama administration in 2012 authorized rules to almost double fuel-efficiency standards to a fleetwide average of over 50 miles per gallon but agreed to a review by 2018 over if the final years of the standards were feasible.

The Trump administration billed the proposed rollback from Obama administration fuel efficiency standards as a way to assist auto companies and decrease vehicle prices for consumers, but critics note the strategy will raise estimated fuel consumption by 500,000 barrels of oil per day by the 2030s and increase pollution.