Divergent auto safety regulations in the United States and the European Union drive up costs by as much as $2.3 billion annually on a bilateral basis, according to a new Center for Automotive Research (CAR) study, titled “Potential Cost Savings and Additional Benefits of Convergence of Safety Regulations between the United States and the European Union.”

According to the report, this amount also represents the savings that could be realized if the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) included full U.S.-EU auto safety regulatory convergence. The $2.3 billion in potential cost/savings is the appropriate figure to inform the TTIP talks, but on a global basis, the extra cost/savings rises to as much as $4.2 billion annually, CAR’s research indicates.

Meeting two different sets of standards, which for all practical purposes achieve the same high level of auto safety performance and outcomes, therefore poses an annual cost far exceeding the $1.6 billion in combined annual tariffs related to U.S.-EU motor vehicle trade, according to American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC). The CAR study – published during the 14th round of TTIP talks taking place in Brussels last week – underlines why it is important that U.S. and EU negotiators include such a measure in the ongoing TTIP negotiations.

The AAPC says consumers also would benefit from regulatory convergence due to increased savings and better product choice, as automakers could increase vehicle offerings, according to the new research.

The study is unique as CAR gathered detailed information from global motor vehicle manufacturers on the development costs associated with meeting the two sets of regulations, and used those variables to estimate the aggregate and per-car costs. This study is the latest research to confirm the benefits of an ambitious automotive regulatory chapter in TTIP. Last year, the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) demonstrated that U.S.-EU automotive regulatory convergence would lead to a $20 billion annual economic benefit.

The CAR analysis was welcomed by transatlantic auto industry associations, including by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (Auto Alliance), the American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC) and the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). The three organizations have continued to stress the importance of advancing a comprehensive and ambitious TTIP agreement.

“This study confirms that regulatory convergence has the potential to maximize safety, affordability and employment. Policies that reduce regulatory costs and thereby enable consumers to buy today’s safer and cleaner cars should be a no-brainer. And, by making cars more affordable, that helps boost auto-related employment on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Mitch Bainwol, president and CEO of the Auto Alliance.

“This study illustrates the costs of having to comply with two sets of regulations and the real savings that could be achieved for consumers and automakers if we can negotiate a strong TTIP agreement that eliminates the differences between the U.S. and EU auto safety regulations,” added Matt Blunt, president of AAPC.

“The CAR study confirms that if we want TTIP to fulfill its potential, regulatory convergence in the automotive sector should be considered as one of the key priorities of the entire agreement. This will not only be of benefit to the industry, but consumers will also gain from such convergence,” explained Erik Jonnaert, secretary general of ACEA.

To read the CAR study, click here.