The Small Business Survival Committee (SBSC) is the latest critic of several Congressional efforts to increase corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for cars and light trucks to between 35 and 36 mpg, up from the current level of 20.7 mpg.
SBSC said in a report that in order to meet current federal fuel efficiency mandates, automobile manufacturers have had to make smaller, lighter vehicles, which are more prone to severe damage in accidents.
Higher CAFE standards also add cost to vehicles, said Raymond J. Keating, author of the SBSC report.
"According to the National Academy of Sciences, higher CAFE standards also have raised prices by $500 to $2,500 for cars, and $500 to $2,750 for pickup trucks and SUVs," he said.
