DOT, EPA Set Aggressive National Standards for Fuel Economy and
First Ever Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels For Passenger Cars and Light
Trucks
Release date: 04/01/2010
Contact Information: Cathy Milbourn Milbourn.cathy@epa.gov
202-564-7849 202-564-4355 NHTSA Press Office: 202-366-9550
WASHINGTON - Responding to one of the first major directives
of the Obama Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today jointly
established historic new federal rules that set the first-ever national
greenhouse gas emissions standards and will significantly increase the
fuel economy of all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the
United States. The rules could potentially save the average buyer of a
2016 model year car $3,000 over the life of the vehicle and, nationally,
will conserve about 1.8 billion barrels of oil and reduce nearly a
billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the lives of the vehicles
covered.
This action is one important step in fulfilling the Obama
Administration’s commitment to moving towards a clean energy, climate
friendly economy.
“These historic new standards set ambitious, but achievable, fuel
economy requirements for the automotive industry that will also
encourage new and emerging technologies,” said Transportation Secretary
Ray LaHood. “We will be helping American motorists save money at the
pump, while putting less pollution in the air.”
“This is a significant step towards cleaner air and energy efficiency,
and an important example of how our economic and environmental
priorities go hand-in-hand,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “By
working together with industry and capitalizing on our capacity for
innovation, we’ve developed a clean cars program that is a win for
automakers and drivers, a win for innovators and entrepreneurs, and a
win for our planet.”
DOT and EPA received more than 130,000 public comments on the September
2009 proposed rules, with overwhelming support for the strong national
policy. Manufacturers will be able to build a single, light-duty
national fleet that satisfies all federal requirements as well as the
standards of California and other states. The collaboration of federal
agencies also allows for clearer rules for all automakers, instead of
three standards (DOT, EPA, and a state standard).
Today’s final rules, issued by DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) and EPA, establish increasingly stringent fuel
economy standards under NHTSA’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy program
and greenhouse gas emission standards under the Clean Air Act for 2012
through 2016 model-year vehicles.
Starting with 2012 model year vehicles, the rules together require
automakers to improve fleet-wide fuel economy and reduce fleet-wide
greenhouse gas emissions by approximately five percent every year. NHTSA
has established fuel economy standards that strengthen each year
reaching an estimated 34.1 mpg for the combined industry-wide fleet for
model year 2016.
Because credits for air-conditioning improvements can be used to meet
the EPA standards, but not the NHTSA standards, the EPA standards
require that by the 2016 model-year, manufacturers must achieve a
combined average vehicle emission level of 250 grams of carbon dioxide
per mile. The EPA standard would be equivalent to 35.5 miles per gallon
if all reductions came from fuel economy improvements.
Specifically, the new National Program:
Reduces carbon dioxide emissions by about 960 million metric tons over
the lifetime of the vehicles regulated, equivalent to taking 50 million
cars and light trucks off the road in 2030.
Conserves about 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the
vehicles regulated.
Enables the average car buyer of a 2016 model year vehicle to enjoy a
net savings of $3,000 over the lifetime of the vehicle, as upfront
technology costs are offset by lower fuel costs
“We are delivering on our mission and President Obama’s call for a
strong and coordinated national policy for fuel economy and greenhouse
gas emission standards for motor vehicles, and we will do so in a way
that does not compromise safety,” said NHTSA Administrator David
Strickland.
“These are the first national standards ever to address climate change,”
said EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Gina McCarthy.
“Over the coming years, America will witness an amazing leap forward in
vehicle technologies, delivering fuel efficiency that will save us money
and protect the environment.”
The joint final regulation achieves the goal set by President Obama to
develop a National Program to establish federal standards that meet the
needs of the states and the nation as a whole to conserve energy and
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. President Obama first announced the
effort last May with a broad coalition of automakers, the United Auto
Workers, States, and the environmental community.
NHTSA and EPA expect automobile manufacturers will meet these standards
by more widespread adoption of conventional technologies that are
already in commercial use, such as more efficient engines,
transmissions, tires, aerodynamics, and materials, as well as
improvements in air conditioning systems. Although the standards can be
met with conventional technologies, EPA and NHTSA also expect that some
manufacturers may choose to pursue more advanced fuel-saving
technologies like hybrid vehicles, clean diesel engines, plug-in hybrid
electric vehicles, and electric vehicles.
In conjunction with the United States, Canada is also announcing Light
Duty Vehicle GHG-Emissions regulations today. U.S. EPA and NHTSA have
worked closely with Environment Canada to ensure a common North American
approach.
Climate change is the single greatest long-term global environmental
challenge. Cars, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks are responsible for
almost 60 percent of all U.S. transportation-related greenhouse gas
emissions.
More information:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm
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