S. 2291: Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2025
This bill, known as the Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2025, aims to change how carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are calculated for flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) in relation to fleet averages, which is a measure that manufacturers must comply with under environmental regulations.
Key Provisions
The main points of the bill are as follows:
- Revised Emission Standards: The bill mandates that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revise existing regulations so that manufacturers can claim a CO2 value that is 31% lower for flexible fuel vehicles when calculating fleet average CO2 emissions. This means that FFVs will be recognized as having a lower environmental impact compared to similar vehicles that are not designed to run on alternative fuels.
- Deadline for Regulation Revision: The EPA is required to implement these changes within 120 days of the bill's enactment.
- Potential for Greater Reductions: The bill allows the Administrator to determine, through further regulations, if a larger percentage reduction in CO2 values for FFVs is justified based on updated analysis using a specific emissions model, known as the GREET model.
Context and Rationale
The bill references findings from research conducted by the Argonne National Laboratory, which indicates that E85 fuel (a blend of gasoline and up to 85% ethanol) can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 37% compared to standard gasoline. This finding underpins the proposed reduction in CO2 values for flexible fuel vehicles as a way to encourage their use and, by extension, support eco-friendlier fuel options.
Definitions
- Administrator: Refers to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Flexible Fuel Vehicle: Defined by existing regulatory codes as vehicles capable of operating on multiple types of fuel, primarily gasoline and ethanol blends.
- Manufacturer: As defined in the Clean Air Act, refers to any entity that produces motor vehicles.
Impact on the Automotive Industry
The bill is designed to offer automotive manufacturers more flexibility in meeting environmental standards, particularly for those producing vehicles capable of running on alternative fuels. By allowing more favorable CO2 calculations for FFVs, the bill might encourage manufacturers to produce more flexible fuel vehicles, thereby increasing their availability in the market. This could impact consumer choices and potentially promote the shift towards greener technologies in vehicle manufacturing.
Relevant Companies
- Ford Motor Company (F) - Ford produces flexible fuel vehicles and may benefit from lower CO2 standards encouraging the sales of these vehicles.
- Toyota Motor Corporation (TM) - As a manufacturer of various vehicle types, including those that can operate on E85 fuel, Toyota might see impacts on its fleet averages.
- General Motors (GM) - GM has produced FFVs in the past, and adjustments to CO2 calculations could influence their production strategies.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
2 bill sponsors
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Jul. 15, 2025 | Introduced in Senate |
| Jul. 15, 2025 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. |
Corporate Lobbying
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