Holt Introduces Fuel Efficiency Truth-In-Advertising Act Of 2005

Holt Introduces Fuel Efficiency Truth-In-Advertising Act Of 2005
Bill Would Ensure that Motorists Get Accurate Fuel Economy Data Before Buying a New Vehicle
March 3, 2005

(Washington, DC). - Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) and Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-CT) today introduced the bipartisan "Fuel Efficiency Truth-in-Advertising Act of 2005," which would compel the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise its fuel economy testing and rating system to accurately reflect real-world driving conditions.

"The EPA is using an outmoded, inaccurate method to assess fuel economy standards," said Holt. "As a result, consumers are getting inaccurate information about fuel efficiency. This is bad for everyone - it's bad for consumers, it's bad for the industry, and it's bad for the environment. If consumers don't have accurate information about their new car's miles per gallon, how can they accurately measure bang for their buck?"

Many of the EPA's current testing assumptions are based on driving conditions that either existed decades ago or fail to address new technologies and changing conditions. Among the problems with existing EPA assumptions used when assessing fuel economy standards:

Underestimation of highway driving speeds (48mph average/60mph maximum).

Underestimation of the impact of stop-and-go traffic conditions.

Assumption of overly gentle acceleration/braking in both city and highway driving.

Failure to factor in the impact of the wide-range of outdoor temperatures that impact real-world driving.

Failure to reflect the use of air conditioning and other accessory loads.

Failure to accurately assess new automotive technologies (i.e., hybrid, alternative fuel, electric, and fuel cell vehicles; variable valve control; and continuously variable transmissions, among others.

Whether made alone or in combination, these assumptions paint an inaccurate picture of both estimated vehicle mileage and the true extent of vehicle emissions and their impact on the environment.

The genesis for the legislation was a letter that Holt and a bipartisan group of 35 Members of Congress sent to the EPA in July, 2004, urging the agency to revise the testing procedures used to determine the fuel economy of new vehicles. "In a time of high gasoline prices, fuel economy is an important factor for many American consumers purchasing new cars," the letter stated. "Unfortunately, as long as the flaws in this testing program remain, the U.S. government is providing American consumers with erroneous information. This cannot continue." The EPA failed to respond to the Members' request, thus triggering Holt and Johnson's decision to introduce legislation.

The Fuel Efficiency Truth-in-Advertising Act would require the EPA to revise its testing procedures to take into consideration higher speed limits, faster acceleration rates, variations in temperature, use of air conditioning, shorter city test cycle lengths, and the use of other fuel depleting features. The bill has been endorsed by the American Automobile Association (AAA), the Union of Concerned Scientists, and a coalition of environmental organizations that includes the Sierra Club and the National Resource Defense Council.

http://www.holt.house.gov/issues2.cfm?id=10206