Automakers Sue to Halt Biden's 'Defective' Emergency Brake Regulations.
AEB will be required by the year 2029.
The recent lawsuit filed by the leading lobbying group of the automotive industry seeks to repeal a new regulation that requires all vehicles to be equipped with automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems. This legal action was brought before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents major car manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Toyota.
The group is requesting that the rule, which was finalized last year and mandates that all vehicles must have AEB by 2029, be overturned. According to this regulation, all cars must be capable of "stopping and avoiding contact" with other vehicles at speeds of up to 100 km/h. Additionally, AEB systems must automatically apply the brakes at speeds of up to 145 km/h when a collision with another vehicle is anticipated, and at 72 km/h when detecting a pedestrian. It is also required that vehicles recognize pedestrians both during the day and at night.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that this regulation could help prevent hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries annually. However, following the approval of the standard, the alliance requested that the NHTSA reconsider it, arguing that current technology is inadequate to meet the high standards established. Furthermore, the group pointed out that its suggestions were dismissed during the rulemaking process and urged the NHTSA to review several critical elements to ensure they are achievable within the stipulated timeframe.
The NHTSA rejected the alliance's request, asserting that the requirements were "feasible" and emphasizing that the overall goal is to "force" the industry to adopt new technologies to meet the objectives of saving lives and preventing injuries. The agency underscored that while the rule is technologically demanding, its implementation is achievable within the specified time.
The automotive industry group has argued that it has invested over a billion dollars in the development of AEB over the years, although it wishes to clarify that this lawsuit should not be interpreted as a lack of confidence in its own technology. They prefer the "voluntary" agreement that existed prior to this mandate. In its statement, the group highlighted that litigation should not be seen as opposition to AEB, but rather as a necessity to establish a standard that maximizes the safety of drivers and pedestrians without compromising technical feasibility.
On the other hand, safety advocates and consumers argue differently. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, stated that the AEB rule is the most significant roadway safety regulation in years. She added that, considering that the automotive industry is the largest manufacturing sector in the United States, it is surprising that it cannot meet the requirements before 2029. William Wallace, director of safety advocacy at Consumer Reports, expressed his dismay at car manufacturers' decision to contest this vital regulation, highlighting that AEB performance among new car models is inconsistent and that this standard is essential to ensure that all road users can benefit from automatic braking systems that meet reasonable minimum standards.
