According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Automotive Trends Report released on December 20, 2023, automakers are making minimal strides in reducing carbon emissions and improving fuel efficiency. The 2022 new vehicle fleet showed only a 2.2% reduction in carbon emissions, equating to just 10 grams less per mile than in 2021. Fuel economy saw a slight increase of 0.6 miles per gallon, a negligible improvement considering the significant promises made by automakers over the years.
Automakers Fall Short of Promises
Despite claims by automakers that they are leading the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), the EPA’s findings suggest that their efforts are insufficient. Dan Becker, director of the Center for Biological Diversity’s Safe Climate Transport Campaign, criticized the industry, pointing out that the reduction in pollution was far less than the 5% annual improvement automakers promised to the Obama administration a decade ago. Only 7% of 2022 vehicles were EVs or plug-in hybrids, showing a stark contrast between the industry’s claims and the actual market shift.
The report underscores the necessity for stronger auto pollution regulations to curb the industry’s reliance on gas-guzzling vehicles. As the EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) prepare to propose new rules, experts like Becker stress that automakers will not cut emissions or improve gas mileage unless stringent standards force them to do so. Without such measures, automakers will continue to prioritize gas-powered vehicles, leaving consumers with high fuel costs and contributing to the worsening climate crisis.
Shift to Larger, Less Efficient Vehicles
The Trends report also highlights a troubling shift in consumer preferences towards larger, less fuel-efficient vehicles. SUVs and pickups have steadily replaced more efficient cars, with these vehicles making up only 37% of 2022 production. The weight, horsepower, and size of new vehicles reached record levels, further decreasing overall fleet efficiency and emissions. This trend, coupled with the fact that over 90% of new vehicles are still fossil-fueled, indicates a lack of meaningful progress toward cleaner alternatives.
The report revealed that only a few automakers are meeting fuel efficiency standards without exploiting loopholes. Tesla, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Ford, and Subaru were the only companies to meet the necessary standards without relying on credits or other non-compliance strategies. In contrast, six companies, including Mazda, GM, and BMW, delivered worse fuel efficiency and emissions than five years ago. Additionally, while EV sales increased, the efficiency of these vehicles, particularly heavier models like large EV pickups and SUVs, often decreased, highlighting the challenges of achieving true emissions reductions in the face of market preferences for larger, less efficient models.