DOE Softens Final Fuel Economy Factor Rule Following Automaker Push

The Department of Energy (DOE) has finalized a revision to a key fuel economy metric for electric vehicles (EVs), reducing their compliance benefits compared with a Clinton-era metric as environmentalists sought but delaying the change’s effect in response to automakers’ fears of big non-compliance fines under pending fuel economy standards. While the March 19 rule does not explicitly affect EPA’s imminent final multi-pollutant standards for light-duty vehicles -- slated to be unveiled March 20 -- observers say DOE’s decision to...