Automakers Call on White House to Work with California on Greenhouse Gases: NPR

Updated at 21:13 ET

Seventeen of the world's largest automakers have asked the White House and the state of California to resume talks and develop a set of greenhouse gas standards for cars.

The Trump administration lobbied to lower regulation, while California was tightening the rules on auto emissions. The car manufacturers, meanwhile, call for the "compromise of common sense".

The companies – including Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen – have sent a letter to the Trump administration stressing that jobs in the auto industry were at stake.

At the same time, they sent a letter to California governor Gavin Newsom, claiming that a single national standard would reduce emissions more effectively than a divided standard.

The dispute between the Trump administration and California has been simmering for more than two years.

Under the Obama administration, regulators have tightened federal emissions standards. Standards would become more stringent over time, forcing automakers to achieve an average fuel consumption of at least 54.5 miles per gallon on their entire fleet of cars. here 2025.

But when President Trump took office, he froze the new rules at prevailing rates, forcing automakers to reach a fleet average of 37 mpg as part of a broader plan to lower the regulation on industrial enterprises.

At the same time, California is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And unique among states, it has the power to set its own standards for vehicle emissions – an authority it has used to lobby for stricter environmental regulations.

The Trump administration has announced its intention not only to ease the national rules, but also to prevent California from enforcing its stricter standards. California has gone to court to defend its laws.

In their letters, the car manufacturers invite both sides to find a common ground.

The automotive industry has long expressed a preference for a single national fuel economy policy. Companies warn that the quarrel between the White House and California could trigger long legal battles that would hurt the auto industry – and eventually make cars more expensive.

"We are firmly convinced that the best way to preserve good jobs in the auto sector and keep new vehicles within reach of all Americans is a definite rule that all parties, including California, argue, "said the letter from the builders to the White House.

But they also urged California to accept less stringent regulations than the policies of the Obama era.

"We know it's hard to come to an agreement, but the stakes are too big and the benefits too big to accept the status quo," the California governor said.

The Trump administration seems to stick to its plan.

White House spokesman Judd Deere said California "has not come up with a productive alternative, and we are finalizing a rule to promote safer vehicles, cleaner and more affordable. "

And California does not back down either.

"This rule change is motivated by political reasons and part of a larger effort to reward oil companies and undermine our country's efforts to combat climate change," Newsom said in a statement. . "California will continue to lead the coalition to prevent the coming into effect of these rule changes."

Fiat Chrysler – which manufactures Jeep and Ram vehicles, among other brands – has not signed the automaker's letters.