Lauren Lantry, lauren.lantry@sierraclub.org
Yesterday, the EPA released their annual fuel economy trends report. The data shows that new cars are guzzling 20% less gas and spewing lower climate emissions than their predecessors purchased a decade ago. Clean car standards are helping ensure that vehicles continue to become cleaner and more efficient – reducing air pollution and saving families money at the gas pump. Strong standards are essential to keeping these encouraging trends going.
If kept strong, by 2025, vehicle efficiency and clean car standards will:
Nearly double vehicle efficiency;
Save 6 billion metric tons of dangerous climate pollution;
Keep 12 billion barrels of oil in the ground;
Save individual consumers $1,460 to $1,620 in fuel costs by the time the standards are fully implemented; and
Save Americans $67 billion to $122 billion over the lifetime of vehicles when the standards are fully implemented.
Even the EPA knows this. “The reports show auto manufacturers continue to innovate and make progress increasing fuel economy and reducing pollution,” said the EPA in a media release accompanying the results. “This year’s report shows all manufacturers are in compliance with the standards.”
So then why is Scott Pruitt trying to roll back the standards?
In response, the Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Director Gina Coplon-Newfield stated:
"Thanks to national fuel efficiency and pollution standards, passenger cars and trucks on the market -- including big SUVs, pickup trucks and crossovers -- are going farther on every gallon of gas. Despite claims from Scott Pruitt and automakers that our clean car standards are too hard to reach, it’s clear these standards are working. No matter what car consumers choose to buy, they’re saving money at the pump, keeping more dirty fuels in the ground, and reducing dangerous climate emissions. We need to keep moving forward, and stop politicians and auto industry lobbyists from taking us backwards by rolling back these standards.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.