# Fuel Vehicle Standards: Benefits and Implementation - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/11/fuel-vehicle-standards-benefits-and-implementation/ - Published: 2011-11-16T19:03:42-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## Fuel Vehicle Standards Let’s talk fuel vehicle standards.  Building on President Obama’s historic national program, the U.S. [Environmental Protection Agency](https://greenlivingguy.com/2006/03/epa-versus-mpg-equals-wrong-debate/)( 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. Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of executive actions the Obama Administration is taking to strengthen the economy and move the country forward because we can’t wait for Congressional Republicans to act. ![Description Biofuel picture from La Jolla. La Jolla is biotech mecca... The 92121 zip code, just North of San Diego, has the most biotech companies, 2.8x that of second place (South San Francisco). Fuel efficiency](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy. com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/image4-e1603596772275.jpg?resize=200%2C182&quality =52&ssl=1) Description Biofuel picture from La Jolla. La Jolla is biotech mecca…The 92121 zip code, just North of San Diego, has the most biotech companies, 2.8x that of second place (South San Francisco). ### Energy Efficiency at the Pump When combined with other historic steps this administration has taken to increase energy efficiency, this proposal will save Americans over $1.7 trillion at the pump. That’s also nearly $8,000 per vehicle by 2025. 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. That’s 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. More notably and over the life of the programs. ### Light Duty Fuel Vehicle Standards 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. Now it’s also curbing pollution and enabling long-term planning for automakers. ![Test Drive Results 2016 Lexus 600h Limited Hybrid Electric Car](https://i0.wp. com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/wp-1464101352323.jpeg?resize=420% 2C237&quality=52&ssl=1) ### Cut Oil Consumption Today’s proposed standards alone will slash oil consumption by 4 billion barrels and cut 2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas pollution over the lifetimes of the vehicles sold in those years. These standards are a leap forward in improving fuel efficiency. It’s also strengthening our national security by reducing our dependence on oil. Finally and protecting our climate for generations to come. ### Fuel Vehicle Standards Save Money This program will not only save consumers money. For it will ensure automakers have the regulatory certainty they need. That’s essentially to make key decisions that create jobs and invest in the future. This was said by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. ### Reducing Overall Costs “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. This is an important addition to the landmark clean cars program that President Obama initiated. Essentially to establish [fuel economy standards](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/04/trump-conspires-automakers-loot-billions-consumers/) more than two years ago. #### New MPG Proposed Program Fuel Vehicle Standards 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 $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. Today’s action builds on the success of the first phase of the Obama Administration’s national program (2012-2016). Those standards will raise fuel efficiency equivalent to 35.5 mpg by 2016. It will also result in an average light vehicle tailpipe CO2 level of 250 grams per mile. These standards are already in effect and saving consumers money at the pump now. Combined with 2011 fuel economy standards and the standards in effect for 2012-2016, today’s proposal represents the most significant federal action ever taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel economy. #### Fuel Vehicle Standards reducing greenhouse gas emissions  Taken together, these actions would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half and result in model year 2025 light-duty vehicles with nearly double the fuel economy of model year 2010 vehicles. By continuing the national program developed for model year 2012-2016 vehicles, EPA and DOT have designed a proposal that allows manufacturers to keep producing a single, national fleet of passenger cars and light trucks that satisfies all federal and California standards. It also ensures that consumers will continue to enjoy a full range of vehicle choices with performance, utility and safety features that meet their individual needs. The standards will rely on innovative technologies that are expected to spur economic growth and create high-quality jobs across the country. Major auto manufacturers are already heavily invested in developing advanced technologies that can significantly reduce fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions beyond the existing model year 2012- 2016 standards. In addition, a wide range of technologies are currently available for automakers to meet the new standards. That’s including advanced gasoline engines and transmissions. Furthermore it includes: 1. vehicle weight reduction 2. lower tire rolling resistance 3. improvements in aerodynamics 4. diesel engines 5. more efficient accessories 6. and improvements in air conditioning systems. The standards should also spur manufacturers to increasingly explore electric technologies. For that’s such as start/stop, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles. The model year 2017-2025 proposal includes a number of incentive programs to encourage early adoption and introduction of “game changing” advanced technologies, such as hybridization for pickup trucks. ### Conclusion The proposal released today follows President Obama’s announcement in July that the administration and 13 major automakers representing more than 90 percent of all vehicles sold in the U.S. have agreed to build on the first phase of the national vehicle program. EPA and DOT worked closely with a broad range of stakeholders to develop the proposal—including manufacturers, the United Auto Workers, the State of California, and consumer and environmental groups. 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. More on the NHTSA and EPA’s notice of proposed rulemaking: [http://www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy](https://www.nhtsa.gov/laws-regulations/corporate-average-fuel-economy) More information: [http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm](https://www.epa.gov/vehicles-and-engines) _**Source: Environment Protection Agency R339**_ < p style=”margin: 0;”>WASHINGTON ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)