The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), is speaking out against the governments proposed fuel economy standards, saying it will limit new car sales and make automobiles more expensive for consumers. Automobile manufacturers building high performance vehicles, will have an especially hard time meeting the standards without electric or hybrid vehicles in their lineup.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimate that the additional technology required on vehicles will significantly increase the purchase price of vehicles, but say that the lifetime fuel savings would amount to more. The NADA disagrees with their cost analysis, and plans to release a study next month that finds the technology costs could add up to $5,000 to the price of a vehicle. They say that people who can afford the more expensive vehicles up front may save money over time, but many won’t be able to afford it.
The new rules will have automakers building vehicles that will give an average of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The final rules are expected to be put in place by the end of the summer.
