New auto standards would reduce greenhouse emissions

40 percent more efficient

Steve Hawley, May 20, 09.

President Obama unveiled new auto fuel efficiency standards on Tuesday, according to the New York Times.

The Times reports, “The effect will be a single new national standard that will create a car and light truck fleet in the United States that is almost 40 percent cleaner and more fuel-efficient by 2016 than it is today, with an average of 35.5 miles per gallon.” A separate opinion piece notes that the regulations would reduce automotive greenhouse emissions by one-third.

Under the new regulations, the entire nation will adopt the strict emissions standards that California has been fighting for over the last several years. Automakers will have to achieve a fleet average of 35.5 miles per gallon, compared to 25 miles per gallon today. The article states that “automakers will probably have to sharply reduce the number of low-mileage models, like pickup trucks and large sedans.”

The regulations will make cars more expensive, but according to President Obama’s remarks, consumers will recoup the costs in three years and can expect to save $2,800 over the car’s lifetime.

Recently, climate expert Joseph Romm predicted that US carbon dioxide emissions will never again reach 2007 levels, in part due to stronger regulations and legislation and in part because of dwindling oil supplies worldwide.

Full text of President Obama’s remarks on new auto standards