Joco Today

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, along with Senators Mike Crapo and Ted Cruz, as well as U.S. Representative Tim Walberg, is leading a group of 120 members in calling for the withdrawal of the Biden Administration's proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks. The proposed standards, which aim to increase average fleet-wide fuel economy, would effectively mandate the mass production of electric vehicles (EVs) and phase out gas-powered cars and trucks.

Senator Marshall expressed his concern, stating, "Nothing shows how out of touch President Joe Biden is more than his Electric Vehicle mandates that will only inflict more economic hardships on Americans already struggling with inflation and skyrocketing interest prices." He further emphasized that Americans should have the freedom to choose the vehicles that best fit their needs and budget.

In a letter addressed to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman, the lawmakers expressed their deep concern with the proposed CAFE standards. They argued that the standards, when combined with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) tailpipe emissions proposal, would effectively mandate EVs, raise costs, restrict consumer choice, harm U.S. businesses, and compromise energy and national security.

"The proposal issued in July is mere virtue signaling for this Administration's extreme climate agenda, but it would actually have only limited impact on emissions while strengthening foreign adversaries and harming American workers and consumers," the lawmakers concluded. They urged the NHTSA to drop its attempt at central planning and instead develop a proposal that complies with the law and better serves the American people.

Industry leaders have also voiced their concerns regarding the proposed CAFE standards. Chet Thompson, President and CEO of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), stated, "The Biden administration is overseeing a whole-of-government campaign to effectively ban new gas, diesel, and flex fuel vehicles. This agenda is bad for American families, bad for our economy, and indefensible from a national security perspective." Thompson emphasized that successful policies should encourage competition among all technologies and powertrains, including American-made fuels.

Amanda Eversole, Executive Vice President & Chief Advocacy Officer of the American Petroleum Institute (API), echoed these concerns, noting that the proposed rules could result in a de facto ban on the sale of vehicles using gasoline and other liquid fuels. She emphasized that these rules would hurt consumers through potentially higher costs, fewer options, and increased reliance on unstable foreign supply chains.

The efforts of Senators Crapo, Cruz, and Representative Walberg to protect consumer access to all affordable and reliable vehicle options have been welcomed by industry leaders.

As the debate over the proposed CAFE standards continues, it remains to be seen how the Biden Administration will respond to the calls for withdrawal. The future of the automotive industry and consumer choice hang in the balance, with lawmakers and industry leaders advocating for policies that prioritize competition, affordability, and reliability.