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CU Oral Testimony at EPA Public Hearing – Sept 6, 2017

EPA Public Hearing

Consumers Union Testimony September 6, 2017

 

Hello, my name is Jack Barnett, research assistant for Consumers Union, the policy and mobilization division of Consumer Reports.

 

The gradual improvements to fuel economy and emission standards in place today are

part of a practical and tested program to reduce fuel consumption, improve consumer

choice, protect public health and save consumers trillions of dollars.

 

And time after time, our surveys have shown that consumers truly care about fuel

efficiency in their cars and trucks:

  • Our June survey found that 9 in 10 Americans want automakers to improve the

fuel efficiency of their vehicles.

  • And more than 7 in 10 want government to set higher standards.
  • Fuel efficiency was the characteristic that had the most room for improvement in

their vehicles – far outpacing other factors like horsepower, size and connectivity.

  • And even as Americans gravitate toward trucks and SUVs, about 80% of them

said they would want to see efficiency improvements in those larger vehicles.

 

Consumers are even willing to pay more for more efficient vehicles. Our analysis of the

Model Year 2017-2025 standards found that consumers could expect net savings of

$3,200 per car and $4,800 per truck over the life of their vehicle, even if gas prices

remain low.

 

That analysis was based on technology and cost estimates published in the Technical

Assessment Report, which found new technologies were being introduced and

deployed in the vehicle fleets faster than previously estimated.

 

Since then, new research from ICCT, the group that helped uncover the Volkswagen

diesel scandal, found that EPA’s cost estimates may have been overstated by as much

as 40%.

 

Further, automakers continue to innovate. Over the last several months, Mazda, Infiniti

and others have announced new engine breakthroughs that could further boost

efficiency and lower costs for consumers.

 

The benefits of strong standards would be even greater for lower- and moderate-income

households, who are more sensitive to gas price changes and spend more fueling their

vehicles than on the cost of the vehicle itself.

 

And as the tragic events in Southeast Texas make clear- you can’t predict when and

how natural and geopolitical events will affect gas prices in the future. Increasing the

efficiency of cars and trucks helps insulate consumers from unexpected gas price

spikes.

 

Increasing the efficiency of used cars, which account for 70% of all annual vehicles

sales, is especially beneficial to low-and moderate-income households. Fuel efficiency

remains steady over time, even as vehicles depreciate, allowing these households to

benefit from higher efficiency at a lower cost.

 

Clean car standards deliver these benefits without harming vehicle affordability. A

recent Consumers Union analysis found that entry-level new vehicle prices have

remained steady for 20 years, after adjusting for inflation, even as vehicles have

become more efficient and safer over that time.

 

And when looking across all new vehicles, prices have not risen dramatically due to

efficiency and emissions standards. The business and investor organization Ceres

found that most of the recent vehicle price increases were due to wealthier new car

buyers choosing higher-trim vehicles with more luxury and convenience features.

Expanding efficiency across the fleet would also enhance consumer choice. Whether

it’s a family that needs a car, crossover, or SUV – or a small business owner in need of

a pickup truck – Americans can choose the right vehicle for them, without burning their

budget filling up the tank.

 

The benefits of stronger standards are clear. Rolling back the standards would hurt

consumers, who would bear the burden of higher fuel spending and fewer efficient

vehicle choices.

 

When EPA originally concluded its midterm review in January, it did so based on a large

body of research, years of stakeholder engagement and extensive data from the auto

industry. Since then, new developments, technologies and global pressures all suggest

that automakers can meet even higher targets that lower consumer fuel spending and

offer long term return on investment.

 

Robust standards are good for consumers, the auto industry has demonstrated that

they can meet and exceed the existing targets, and federal agencies should ensure this

progress continues.

 

Thank you.

IssuesEnergy