Rollback of fuel efficiency would impact air in Delaware

In December, Delawareans drove 16 million miles on state roads, up nearly 1 percent from the previous December.

For a small state, we drive a lot.

Mileage matters, from the lifespan of the cars to how much we spend to fill up a tank to the impact on the air we breathe.

On Wednesday, the Trump administration announced it would review fuel-efficiency goals for 2022-25. The federal Environmental Protection Agency, under President Barack Obama, established a rule that cars and trucks meet an average of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The goal was an ambitious effort to push clean-burning and electric vehicles.

“These standards are costly for automakers and the American people,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on Wednesday. “We will work with our partners at DOT to take a fresh look to determine if this approach is realistic. This thorough review will help ensure that this national program is good for consumers and good for the environment.”

In Delaware, automobile emissions make up 26 percent of the greenhouse gases released into the air annually. They are the second largest source of carbon dioxide in the state next to electric generating power plants and industrial facilities, which each produce 30 percent of the total, said Susan Love, the state Climate and Sustainability lead.

"Transportation emissions are a big part of our greenhouse gas emissions, she said.

And they are spread out because every traditionally fueled vehicle on the road is a source, and "all of the little sources add up."

The review Trump ordered focuses on the 2012 greenhouse gas emission standards for model years 2017-2025.

The EPA must decide by April 1, 2018, whether the fuel standards set in the Obama administration are appropriate.

Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., said last week that he was disheartened the administration was considering a review that might lead to weaker mileage standards.

Carper said higher-mileage vehicles help reduce carbon dioxide emissions and Americans' dependence on foreign oil.

"A good way to reduce our trade deficit is to cut imports of oil," he said. "And we want to help drivers save money."

By some estimates, the higher mileage standards would reduce carbon pollution by 5 billion to 6 billion tons annually.

The Auto Alliance, an auto manufacturer trade group, praised the Trump administration for the review.

“Auto manufacturing is highly competitive, so seldom do the world’s automakers come together," said Mitch Bainwol, president and chief executive officer of the alliance. "But in February, when 18 automakers wrote President Trump, they were united in their support for putting ‘the process back on track’ without predetermining any outcome. Checking prior assumptions against new market realities.

"Driven by current data. President Trump agreed, and now we will get back to work with EPA, NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration], CARB [California Air Resources Board] and other stakeholders in carefully determining how we can improve mileage and reduce carbon emissions while preserving vehicle safety, auto jobs and affordable new cars and trucks."

On Wednesday, Gretchen Spraul of Ocean View traveled to Wilmington in the family's Chevy Tahoe.

She said she'd forgotten just had bad it was to get gas. Besides the "gas guzzling" Tahoe, Spraul and her husband, William, own two all-electric Tesla cars.

Tesla cars go an average of 200 to 290 miles on a charge.

"It's so easy," she said. "You plug in your cellphone for the night. You plug in your car."

Eventually, she said, "it's going to be the norm."

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Delaware offers incentives to people who buy alternative-fuel vehicles.

Since the program began, 369 people have received state rebates, said Kathy Harris, a clean transportation policy analyst with the state energy office. The rebates range from $1,500 to $3,500. Higher-end alternative-fuel vehicle buyers also can get a $1,000 rebate, she said.

Harris estimated the program has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 1,387 tons over the last year-and-a-half.

Standard gas vehicle emissions have been a tough nut to crack in recent years. The fleet average for the United States is 17.5 miles per gallon. The highest it has ever been was 17.6. In 1960, it was 12.4 miles per gallon. The last big jump in fuel economy came it 1990 when it hit 16.4 miles per gallon.

If you've gone car shopping lately, you may have experienced sticker shock. But year to year, the price changes and mpg improvements don't line up.

Take the Chevy Suburban. The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the standard four-wheel-drive version in 2006 was $43,260. The price went up $2,000 or slightly less until 2014 when it jumped from $52,560 to $57,205. Consumers between the two model years could have expected a 1-mile-per -gallon increase in fuel efficiency.

The big fuel efficiency jump came between 2013 and 2014 when it jumped from 12 miles per gallon to 17.

Or consider the Chrysler Town and Country minivan. In 2006, the manufacturer's suggested retail price was $28,060, and the car got 21 mpg. In 2016, the MSRP was $35,845, and the miles per gallon dropped to 20.

The Ford F-150, with four-wheel-drive cost you $33,140 in 2006 and got 16 mpg. In 2017, the MSRP is $31,375 with 19 mpg.

The Volkswagen Jetta, which for the North American market is mostly built in Mexico, cost $17,900 in 2006 and got 26 mpg. In 2016, the cost had dropped to $17,680, but the miles per gallon rose to 33.

Gas prices have been in flux during this time frame. In 2006, the average price per gallon was $2.59 – price adjusted to 2015 to $3 a gallon. In 2015, it was $2.45 a gallon.

“Our cars and trucks are not nearly as clean as they should be, but they're a lot cleaner than they used to be – more than 40% less polluting than they were 20 years ago,” said Anna Aurilio, Environment America’s legislative director. “Yet, instead of accelerating this progress, the Trump administration is slamming the brakes. America should be putting cars that burn too much gasoline in the rear-view mirror. Unfortunately, today’s order is a green light to keep making cars that dirty our air, endanger our health and threaten our children's future.”

Contact Molly Murray at (302) 463-3334 or mmurray@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @MollyMurraytnj.