Levin/Bond Proposal Could Actually Lower U.S. Vehicle Fuel Efficiency

As the U.S. Senate continues work this week on energy legislation, there is much debate on the question of raising fuel economy standards and how this will impact vehicle safety. While those opposed to tougher Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards claim that it will cause more deaths, in truth this argument is little more than a smokescreen designed to cloud the issue.

A statistically rigorous study commissioned by Honda found that reducing vehicle weight results in no increase in auto fatalities, and government statistics demonstrate that heavier vehicles — such as SUV’s — often have a greater number of fatalities than more fuel efficient cars.

History also proves that these fears are unfounded. A study conducted by the Department of Energy shows that after the first CAFE law was passed in the 1970’s, 85 percent of fuel economy gains resulted from improved technology, not reductions in vehicle size. In other words, requiring cars and light trucks to get better gas mileage spurs automakers to use better technology to provide vehicles that consumers want, instead of compromising on safety, size or vehicle performance.

In addition to using scare tactics to block tighter fuel economy regulations, CAFE opponents are preparing an alternative, “let’s not do anything, but say we did” amendment to draw votes away from a genuine proposal for higher CAFE. This effort, being led by senators Kit Bond (R-MO) and Carl Levin (D-MI), would create new loopholes for automakers while letting the industry dodge real requirements to improve efficiency, by leaving it up to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to set standards without any real energy savings requirements.

For many years, DOT had the authority to raise fuel economy standards, but because automakers have well-placed allies in Washington, DOT routinely “rubber stamped” Detroit’s assertions that they were doing all they could to improve gas mileage. The Levin-Bond amendment, backed by the Bush Administration, will not require DOT to seriously consider “the need of the nation to conserve energy,” as stipulated in the original CAFE law. This approach will actually lead to an increase in gas consumption and worsen U.S. oil dependence.

In contrast, last week’s bipartisan proposal by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and John McCain (R-AZ) directs DOT to increase vehicle fuel economy to 36 miles per gallon by 2015. This clear fuel economy target will deliver real and timely fuel savings. Since this requirement covers both cars and all light trucks and calls for ongoing CAFE increases, its fuel savings will also build with time. By 2015 for example, savings will equal more than 20 billion gallons per year. Kerry-McCain also establishes an optional greenhouse gas emissions trading program that will provide carmakers with greater flexibility to market vehicles in response to public demand. And it will harness the power of markets to reduce greenhouse gas pollution — the leading cause of global warming.

We hope you will write on this important topic. For more information Please contact Joe Goffman or John DeCicco at Environmental Defense at (202) 387-3500.