Trump Safety Pitch Rebutted in Report

Aug. 9, 2019—A Consumer Reports study showed that U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to freeze vehicle efficiency standards would result in higher costs for motorists and not help highway safety, per Bloomberg.

The analysis comes as the White House reviews a final drafted plan for easing vehicle emissions and fuel economy standards.

The administration last year proposed capping fuel economy and carbon dioxide emission standards at 2020 levels, instead of allowing them to become stricter each year as under existing regulations. The plan also calls for stripping California of its authority to regulate tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions.

The Transportation Department and Environmental Protection Agency argued their proposal would lower the cost of new automobiles and save as many as 1,000 lives annually by spurring motorists to trade in older models for newer, safer vehicles.

Consumer Reports says that instead "the effects on safety from changes in fuel-economy standards are quite small and likely not statistically different from zero."