Improving Fuel Efficiency
The Clean Air Act has protected wildlife and human health from pollution for decades while saving the nation trillions of dollars - and its still working for America. New fuel efficiency and carbon pollution standards for cars and trucks show that government agencies, industry and the public can still come together to protect the environment, build the economy and improve life for all Americans.
In addition to decreasing gas use, these standards slash carbon pollution and reduce the need for risky oil drilling. They also put hundreds of billions of dollars back in families’ pockets while improving America’s energy security.
New Fuel Economy Standards for Cars & Light Trucks:
New fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks (SUVs, pickups) will double the distance cars and trucks go on a gallon of gas – from about 27 mpg today to an average of 54.5 mpg by 2025. The standards put America on the path to making oil spills a thing of the past.
The latest standards for vehicles built in 2015-2025 extend the successful 2012-2016 Light Duty National program that will improve fuel economy to 35.5 mpg by 2016. Taken together, these standards reduce oil use by more than all the oil we import from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Russia combined, and are the single biggest step we've ever taken to cut the carbon pollution that causes climate change.
These strong standards together with investments in clean vehicle manufacturing are already bringing efficient new cars and trucks to dealerships and driveways all across America and jobs building the world’s best cars back to America. In tough economic times, growth and innovation in the auto industry has been a bright spot. The auto industry has added nearly 250,000 direct jobs since the low point of the recession in 2009, and helped anchor new growth in businesses and communities across the country.
Visit www.DrivingGrowth.org to see and hear real stories of how Americans are rebuilding our environment and our economy together as they build the next generation of clean fuel efficient cars and trucks.
The standards have been welcomed by automakers, labor groups, consumers and environmental organizations, while poll after poll shows overwhelming public support for higher fuel economy. Add your voice to support for building the best most efficient cars and trucks in America and protecting wildlife, jobs, savings for families and businesses, and America's energy security.
First Ever Efficiency Standards for Medium & Heavy-duty Trucks
In 2011, the U.S. EPA and NHTSA also enacted the first ever fuel efficiency standards for the largest pickups, buses, and semis/tractor trailers. These standards ensure that truck owners - from sportsmen to big rig operators--will now and get their fair share of innovation, fuel and cost savings.
NWF welcomes these standards, which will cut global warming pollution and fuel use between 6 and 23 percent by 2018 for different types of trucks – while maintaining power and performance. According to EPA, they will save 500 million barrels of oil and save the nation $42 billion--with individual semi-truck owners saving as much as $73,000 each as a result of fuel saving innovations.
NWF continues to work with the agencies and stakeholders to promote adoption of additional cost effective technology to bring greater fuel savings to work trucks and greater pollution savings for wildlife.