Finalized Fuel Efficiency Standards Needed to Drive Down Pollution from Vehicle
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Friday finalized corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) and fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans that will take effect for cars and trucks. The updated standards will apply to passenger cars and light trucks sold in model years 2027–2031 and commercial pickup trucks and work vans sold in model years 2030–2035. Chelsea Hodgkins, senior zero emission vehicle policy advocate with Public Citizen’s Climate Team issued the following statement:
“Over the past 50 years, setting fuel economy standards has been one of the most significant actions the United States has taken to reduce fossil fuel dependence and save drivers money directly, while leading to additional health benefits from cleaner air.
“Unfortunately, the final CAFE standards fall short of maximizing benefits of both. While these rules deliver $48 billion in net social benefits, there were stronger, technologically feasible alternatives that would have done much better. The final rules aren’t the strong, progressive standards needed to deliver the most fuel efficient cars that save consumers money and drive down toxic vehicle pollution harming public health. Rather, they continue incremental change at a moment that urgently requires climate leadership that addresses the devastating harms fossil fuels pose to our health and our future.”
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