washington u.s. environmental protection agency wednesday say push lock fuel efficiency standards central outgo president barack obama climate policy trump administration take january automakers appeal president-elect donald trump critical obama climate policies review rule require nearly double fleet-wide fuel efficiency 2025 say impose significant cost step consumer preferences epa law decide april 2018 whether modify 2022-2025 model year vehicle emission rule require average fleet-wide efficiency 50 miles per gallon instead agency say end public comment period dec. 30 could move lock rule obama administration leave office jan. 20. epa statement say conclude lengthy review automakers meet 2025 standards janet mccabe epa act assistant administrator tell reporters technical record could arguably support strengthen 2022 2025 standards epa believe time introduce uncertainty change standard deny impend administration change prompt decision epa website previously show timeline suggest decision mid-term review expect mid-2017 alliance automobile manufacturers trade group represent general motor co ford motor co toyota motor corp volkswagen ag vowg_p.de others blast decision say extraordinary premature rush judgment circumvent serious analysis necessary make sure vehicle standards appropriately balance fuel efficiency carbon reduction affordability employment group say look forward work trump administration revisions evidence abundantly clear low gas price consumers choose cars necessary comply increasingly unrealistic standards previously ask trump review automotive greenhouse gas rule obama administration action enable california certain state mandate sales electric vehicles environmental group applaud administration move say expect epa finalize rule jan. 20 like plan agree automakers cut oil use save money pump reduce pollution say daniel becker director safe climate campaign washington-based group support strong climate action republican u.s. congress trump administration could seek reverse modify rule however current epa rule lock could make difficult time consume auto lobbyists say next administration variety ways reverse epa action include reopen technical assessment report also say obama administration move could backfire bring attention issue early trump administration trump transition team immediately respond request comment 2011 obama announce agreement major automakers raise fuel efficiency standards 54.5 mpg administration say would save motorists 1.7 trillion fuel cost life vehicles cost auto industry 200 billion 13 years july epa say americans buy few cars suvs truck estimate fleet average 50.8 mpg 52.6 mpg 2025. agreement include mid-term review decide whether 2022-2025 model year requirements feasible california air resources board chair mary nichols say epa decision provide solid support continuation single national program produce new generation clean vehicles obama move lock vehicle greenhouse gas rule