NHTSA Stresses Fuel Efficiency for Earth Day
EPA and the DOT agency will finalize a new set of longer-term medium- and heavy-duty truck fuel efficiency standards in 2016.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration marked today's Earth Day by highlighting gains in motor vehicles' fuel efficiency, saying that its Advanced Fuel-Efficiency Vehicle Showcase hosted by NHTSA included Audi, BMW, Ford, Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan, Tesla, Toyota, and Volkswagen vehicles that will save consumers money at the pump and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"President Obama's leadership on climate change has driven our successes in improving vehicle fuel economy for cars, light trucks, and heavy vehicles," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "By continually pushing the envelope on fuel economy, we ensure Americans have more ways to protect our planet, our health and ensure a better future for our children."
According to NHTSA, model year 2013 vehicles reached an average of 24.1 miles per gallon – a 0.5-mile-per-gallon increase over the previous year and an increase of nearly 5 miles – or 25 percent – per gallon since 2004. Fuel economy has now increased in eight of the last nine years.
DOT-EPA Corporate Average Fuel Economy Greenhouse Gas Emission standards announced in 2010 and 2012 for cars and light trucks will lead to a near doubling in new vehicle fuel economy by 2025. The two agencies are now continuing this work and will finalize a new set of longer-term medium- and heavy-duty truck fuel efficiency standards in 2016.
"When it comes to cutting oil use, saving consumers money, and addressing climate change, NHTSA's enormous responsibilities are matched only by the possibilities for positive change," said NHTSA Deputy Administrator David Friedman. "We have the opportunity to deliver on the promise of vehicles that save Americans money while enhancing national security and protecting our environment. On Earth Day, we recommit ourselves to even greater progress on fuel economy."