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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Agencies Have Begun New|Fuel Efficiency Standards

WASHINGTON (CN) - The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are asking for public input on new greenhouse gas and corporate average fuel efficiency standards for 2017-2025 vehicle model years.

Proposed standards would require light-duty vehicles to meet an estimated combined average emissions level of 250 grams/mile of carbon dioxide in model year 2016, equivalent to a fuel economy level of 35.5 miles per gallon. The carbon dioxide standards also allow manufacturers to earn credits for air conditioning system improvements that reduce greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide.

For the next round of standards, the agencies have identified reductions ranging from 3 to 6 percent from current standards to standards for 2016. A 3 percent per year reduction would lead to a final standard of 42 miles per gallon and a 6 percent per year reduction scenario would lead to a final corporate average fuel efficiency standard of 62 miles per gallon.

The agencies' joint rulemaking was ordered by President Obama in May when he called upon them to set standards that would "Lead the world in the development of a new generation of clean cars and trucks through innovative technologies and manufacturing that will spur economic growth and create high-quality domestic jobs, enhance our energy security, and improve our environment."

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