Vehicle Fuel Efficiency
Developing more efficient vehicles is a necessary factor to growing our economy, to protecting our security and to preserving our environment. And we can and should develop those vehicles without discriminating against domestic auto companies.
That’s why I opposed provisions in the old Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards that favored foreign carmakers and hurt U.S. companies and workers. And it’s why I have supported a single, clear national fuel economy standard, rather than a patchwork of state regulations that would raise costs to consumers and carmakers and fail to take into account the global nature of the environmental issues at stake. A 2009 agreement reached by President Obama, auto companies and workers, environmental groups and other groups ensures an aggressive but achievable standard through 2016.
While many of the most harmful aspects of former fuel economy regulations have now been remedied, the approach contained in CAFE standards – an approach in which carmakers must make regular but incremental improvements in efficiency – creates high costs for companies and consumers without making the dramatic leaps in efficiency we should seek. I would support a policy that replaces this slow and expensive approach with one that seeks to move the U.S. vehicle market toward major improvements in technology and efficiency.
Senator Levin’s Record on Vehicle Fuel Efficiency
- July 29, 2011 - Sen. Levin, Michigan lawmakers improve fuel economy deal
Sen. Levin says new auto fuel efficiency standards will "protect American jobs, promote American manufacturing of advanced technology vehicles, and help ensure that American automakers have a level playing field to produce and sell the vehicles consumers want to buy." Domestic automaters agreee to the new standards after Michigan lawmakers pushed for significant improvements.
- April 6, 2011 - Sen. Levin and bipartisan group of senators introduce bill to establish auto battery stations at Capitol at no cost to taxpayers
Sen. Levin and a bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation that would allow the Senate to continue its leadership of the country toward a clean energy future by establishing automotive battery recharging stations at parking lots in the Capitol complex at no net cost to the federal government.
- Aug. 6, 2009 - Sen. Levin supports additional 'Cash for Clunkers' funding
Sen. Levin speaks in favor of continuing the "Cash for Clunkers" program, which provides tax incentives for replacing older, inefficient vehicles with more fuel-efficient new vehicles, helping protect the environement and helping the auto industry recover from recession.
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