Automakers Outperform Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for 4th
Consecutive Year
Average fuel economy reaches record 24.8 miles per gallon
WASHINGTON – Passenger vehicles achieved record-high fuel economy while
outperforming greenhouse gas emission standards in model year 2015,
according to two reports released today by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
The GHG Manufacturer Performance Report for 2015 Model Year finds
automakers went beyond the model year (MY) 2015 standards by an average
7 grams of CO2 per mile, equivalent to 0.9 miles per gallon (mpg), even
as the fleet-wide standard became more stringent by 13 grams of CO2 per
mile. All large manufacturers have met the standards through MY 2015.
According to the 2016 CO2 and Fuel Economy Trends Report, MY 2015
vehicles’ fuel economy increased by 0.5 mpg to a record 24.8 mpg, with
improvements across all vehicle types – including passenger cars, SUVs,
vans and minivans, and light duty pickup trucks. Since 2011, the year
before the national Greenhouse Gas and Fuel economy standards for
passenger vehicles took effect, fuel economy has increased by 2.4 mpg,
and CO2 emissions per mile traveled have decreased by 10 percent.
“Car buyers can go to the showroom knowing that no matter what kind of
vehicle they buy, it will be better for the climate – and their wallets
– than ever before,” said Christopher Grundler, director of EPA’s Office
of Transportation and Air Quality. “This report highlights that the
industry is providing vehicles that customers want, while reaching new
levels of environmental performance.”
The automotive industry has seen six consecutive years of sales
increases and a new all-time sales record in 2015, reflecting positive
consumer response to vehicles complying with the standards. Automakers
have been rapidly adopting fuel-efficient technologies like turbo
charging, engine downsizing, more sophisticated transmissions, vehicle
weight reduction, aerodynamics and idle stop-start, along with improved
accessories and air conditioning systems. More than 100 MY 2016 vehicles
on the market today already meet the 2020 standards.
EPA estimates that, through today, the GHG emissions standards have
slashed almost 130 million metric tons of CO2 – roughly the amount of
GHGs emitted from the electricity use in about 20 million homes for one
year. The National Program – which set coordinated regulations on fuel
economy and GHG emissions between the EPA, the Department of
Transportation and the California Air Resources Board – establishes
separate footprint-based standards for passenger cars and light trucks.
A manufacturer's compliance obligations depend on the mix of vehicles
that it produces for sale in each model year. This approach ensures that
consumers can continue to choose from the full range of fuel-efficient
vehicles on the market, while these vehicles are improving efficiency
and reducing emissions.
Read the GHG Manufacturer Performance Report for 2015 Model Year: https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/greenhouse-gas-ghg-emission-standards-light-duty-0
Read the 2016 Fuel Economy Trends Report: www.epa.gov/fuel-economy/trends-report
More information on Light Duty Vehicle Standards:
https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/regulations-greenhouse-gas-emissions-passenger-cars
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