New proposed vehicle standards announced by the Obama administration Tuesday represent the largest increase in fuel economy in three decades.
The new standards, which were released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT), would boost the fleetwide fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the United States to 34.1 miles per gallon by model year 2016, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). (The EPA states about 35.5 mpg.)
The standards also would set the first national tailpipe heat-trapping emissions standard for vehicles at 250 grams per mile, nearly 30% less than the emissions produced by today’s average new vehicle.
Following a 60-day public comment period, EPA and DOT are required to finalize the standards by March 31, 2010.
"You have to go back to the days of disco to see a fuel economy improvement like this," said Jim Kliesch, a senior engineer in the UCS Clean Vehicles Program. "If finalized, these proposed standards will be the biggest increase in fuel economy in more than 30 years. That’s good news for the environment, consumers’ wallets, and our nation’s energy security."
The Natural Resources Defense Council also praised the announcement.
“This historic proposal moves America further down the road to cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles. This unprecedented national program would reduce global warming pollution, break our dependence on oil, and save drivers money at the pump. Working together, the Obama administration, states, the auto industry, and environmental leaders have come to an agreement that will enable car makers to meet the challenges of the 21st century, while protecting our planet and our health," Roland Hwang, vehicles policy director for NRDC, said in a release.
UCS calculates that the proposed standards would:
- reduce U.S. oil consumption by about 1.3 million barrels per day by 2020, nearly as much as the U.S. currently imports from Saudi Arabia
- cut global warming emissions by 217 million metric tons in 2020, the equivalent of taking nearly 32 million of today’s cars and light trucks off the road that year
- save drivers $26 billion in 2020 based on a gas price of $2.25 per gallon, even after they pay the cost of vehicle technology improvements. (If gas prices spike to $4 a gallon again, the new standards would save drivers $60 billion in 2020.)
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Read the Associated Press report at the link below.
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