one national program
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Global Automakers is playing an integral role in the harmonized rulemaking process for establishing the MY2017-2025 fuel economy/greenhouse gas (GHG) standards currently being undertaken at the federal level by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and on the state level by California. A comprehensive national approach to regulating fuel economy and GHG emissions is not only the best way to meet the nation's environmental goals, but it will also provide automakers the ability to design, build, and introduce into the marketplace the types of advanced technology vehicles consumers want to buy.
Learn more about the history of the rulemaking, past and current regulatory efforts, and what the proposed standards will mean for automakers and consumers.
Slideshow: One National Program 101
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2004
Independently, California adopts greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for motor vehicles for MY2009-2016. Under the Clean Air Act, California is allowed to set its own clean air standards, provided it receives a waiver of preemption from the EPA. -
2005
The auto industry views the California GHG regulations as disguised fuel economy standards. Under the CAFE law, only the federal government is permitted to set fuel economy standards. Unable to convince California, the industry initiates a legal challenge. -
2007 (April)
The Supreme Court rules in Massachusetts v. EPA that EPA has the authority to regulate CO2 and other GHG emissions from motor vehicles as “pollutants” under the Clean Air Act. -
2007 (December)
Congress passes Energy Independence and Security Act, requiring tougher CAFE standards. -
2009 (January)
While the California litigation continues unresolved, the auto industry faces the prospect of, beginning on January 1, 2010, having to comply with two differing and inconsistent federal programs under the CAFE law and the Clean Air Act as well as separate California standards implemented on a state-by-state basis for California and those 14 states and Washington, DC that adopted California GHG standards. -
2009 (May)
Automobile manufacturers, the Administration, EPA, DOT and the State of California make a commitment to establish a coordinated national approach to regulate motor vehicle fuel economy and GHG emissions for MY2012-2016 that will also comply with California’s program. As a result, the litigation ends. CAFE standards are set at 34.1 mpg by MY2016.