"Next phase in national program for light-duty vehicles will save
consumers thousands of dollars at the pump while saving billions of
barrels of oil, curbing pollution, enabling long-term planning for
auto makers"
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT) today formally unveiled their joint proposal to
set stronger fuel economy and greenhouse gas pollution standards for
Model Year 2017-2025 passenger cars and light trucks. Cars, SUVs,
minivans, and pickup trucks are currently responsible for nearly 60
percent of U.S. transportation-related petroleum use and greenhouse gas
emissions.
It is expected that these combined actions also will reduce America's dependence on oil by
an estimated 12 billion barrels, and, by 2025, reduce oil consumption by
2.2 million barrels per day – enough to offset almost a quarter of the
current level of our foreign oil imports. Taken together, these actions
will also slash 6 billion metric tons in greenhouse gas emissions over
the life of the programs. "These unprecedented standards are a remarkable leap forward in
improving fuel efficiency, strengthening national security by
reducing our dependence on oil, and protecting our climate for generations to
come. We expect this program will not only save consumers money, it will
ensure automakers have the regulatory certainty they need to make key
decisions that create jobs and invest in the future," said U.S.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We are pleased that we've been
able to work with the auto industry, the states, and leaders in the
environmental and labor communities to move toward even tougher
standards for the second phase of the President's national program to
improve fuel economy and reduce pollution."
"By setting a course for steady improvements in fuel economy over the
long term, the Obama administration is ensuring that American car
buyers have their choice of the most efficient vehicles ever produced in
our country. That will save them money, reduce our nation's oil
consumption and cut harmful emissions in the air we breathe," said EPA
Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.
The proposed program for model year 2017-2025 passenger cars and trucks is
expected to require increases in fuel efficiency equivalent to 54.5 mpg
if all reductions were made through fuel economy improvements. These
improvements would save consumers an average of up to $6,600 in fuel
costs over the lifetime of a model year 2025 vehicle for a net lifetime savings
of up to $4,400 after factoring in related increases in vehicle cost.
Overall, the net benefit to society from this rule would total more than
$420 billion over the lifetime of the vehicles sold in model year 2017-2025.
There will be an opportunity for the public to comment on the
proposal for 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. In
addition, DOT and EPA plan to hold several public hearings around the
country to allow further public input. California plans to issue its
proposal for model year 2017-2025 vehicle greenhouse gas standards on
December 7 and will finalize its standards in January.
To view NHTSA and EPA's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, visit
http://www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy.
