Automakers will be able to meet stricter emissions and fuel economy standards in the coming years, according to a draft report released Monday by federal officials.
According to the report, automakers are likely to be able to meet stricter standards at similar or lower costs than anticipated in 2012, when the standards were set.
The Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation and California Air Resources Board released the draft, which begins the evaluation of the greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy standards program for model years 2022-25.
“Today’s draft report shows that automakers are developing far more technologies to improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, at similar or lower costs, than we thought possible just a few years ago. And they are adopting these fuel-saving technologies into their fleets even faster than anticipated,” said Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation.
“This is simply great news for consumers, manufacturers, workers and the climate.”
The EPA and Department of Transportation set the standards for fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emission jointly. The first phase of the program ranged from 2012-16 and the second phase runs from 2017-25.
The goal of the program is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6 billion tons while improving the average fuel economy to 54.5 per gallon in model year 2025 vehicles.
The program is seen as a key part of the Obama administration’s promises to the global climate change agreement reached in December. Many scientists blame the burning of greenhouse gases for causing climate change and the subsequent warming of the globe.
The draft report is part of the evaluation of the standards midway through the process. It will be open for public comment as the EPA and the Transportation Department re-evaluate the program.
According to the report, many automakers are already producing models that meet fuel and emissions standards years into the future, some as far away as 2020.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator Mark Rosekind said that’s a sign the program can continue successfully.
“The draft report supports that the administration’s fuel economy program can continue to incentivize innovation and reduce fuel consumption while also ensuring that consumers can continue to choose the vehicles they want to drive,” he said.
