Setting the stage for a new generation of clean vehicles

American consumers are calling for cleaner cars that won’t break their budgets at the gas pump.  And this morning, I was proud to stand with President Barack Obama and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson when the President announced a historic agreement to answer that call.

Today's agreement with 12 major automakers will increase average fuel economy to 54.5 miles per gallon for cars and light-duty trucks by model year 2025.

“This agreement on fuel standards represents the most important step we’ve ever taken as a nation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” said President Obama.  "By 2025, the average fuel economy of vehicles will nearly double."

Just two years ago, we struck an agreement for Model Years 2012-2016, which will raise fuel efficiency to 35.5 miles per gallon and begin saving families money at the pump this year.  And today's agreement builds on that by increasing fuel savings another 5 percent every year for cars, 3.5 percent a year for light trucks during the first four years, and 5 percent for light trucks for the remaining four years.

What does this mean for consumers?  Together, our work will save American families $1.7 trillion at the pump, and by 2025 result in an average fuel savings of over $8,000 per vehicle.

Additionally, these programs will dramatically cut oil consumption, saving a total of 12 billion barrels of oil, and by 2025 reduce oil consumption by more than 4 million barrels of oil a day.  That's more than America currently imports from the Persian Gulf, Venezuela, and Russia combined.

The standards also curb carbon pollution, cutting more than 6 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the program--equivalent to an entire year’s worth of carbon dioxide emissions from the United States.

To get to this historic goal line, EPA and DOT worked closely with auto manufacturers, the state of California, environmental groups, and other stakeholders for several months to ensure that these standards are achievable and cost-effective, and that they preserve consumer choice. 

Automakers agree that a national policy on fuel economy emissions provides them the regulatory certainty and flexibility that reduces their cost of compliance while addressing oil consumption and harmful air pollution.  As Administrator Jackson said, "Our innovative American automakers are responding with plans for some of the most fuel efficient vehicles in our history.” 

And that's a win for the entire nation.

These standards will help spur economic growth and job creation, protect the environment, and strengthen our national security by reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil.  Working together, we are setting the stage for a new generation of clean vehicles.

Comments

[Mr. Canon]

Fuel Economy vehicle is one of my personal standards in car selection

No Offense to anyone but alternate powered cars should be the prime focus here. Making it cheap and accessible to everyone would be a much greener choice. Sadly Fuel making country have make it there mission that this alternate power cars wont see the light of day long. :(

[Nuevobabel]

In Europe we have set 95 gCO2/100 km for cars in 2020, around 62 mpg. I cannot understand why USA sets a goal of 50 mpg in 2020 when technology will be available. It means 5 years of delay for implementing cutting-edge technology.

[George Nimmer]

So, in other words, the next generation of cars will be complete garbage. And they will only come painted green.

[eman]

keep up the good work.

[domenic]

I guess there is a positive and negative to it. We are going to have to do our best to help the environment one way or another.

I am an avid fishermen and the environment and conservation is important to me, as it is to everyone. I hope this has a positive effect on everyone, as well as the conservation of our wild life. Best of luck this ice fishing season to all of the other anglers out there!

Feel free to visit www.iceforfishing.com for plenty of free ice fishing information!