The stricter fuel consumption standards that the Obama administration planned to introduce this week will be delayed, according to a report from Reuters. The government pushed hard to gain the automakers’ approval, and after making some concessions, it achieved its goal.
However, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the Transportation Department that were expected to announce the new CAFE regulations for model years 2017-2025 by the end of the week are not yet ready. Therefore, the announcement will be delayed by a month, or possibly even more.
Although members of the administration declined to comment, the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) target of 54.5mpg by 2025, which equates to a 5% improvement in average fuel consumption each year, remains intact.
Sources state the reason for the delay is that the administration wants to clarify certain details and make sure the new standards get approved by the White House budget office, which reviews all new regulations.
Story source: Reuters
