Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards that will improve the gas mileage of cars, light trucks and heavy-duty trucks and save consumers money at the pump, cutting vehicle pollution in the process.
The CAFE standards are projected to save consumers nearly $23 billion while averting more than 710 million metric tons of CO2 emissions and 70 billion gallons of oil consumption by 2050.
NHTSA’s fuel-saving standards differ substantially from but complement the pollution emission standards finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which regulates tailpipe vehicle emissions.
In response to NHTSA’s finalized standards, Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All Director Katherine García released the following statement:
“More fuel-efficient cars are good for our lungs, our climate, and our wallets. Drivers spend excessive amounts of money to fuel their cars and it's often a large part of household expenses, especially for lower-income drivers. NHTSA’s new fuel economy standards will improve gas mileage, ease the burden of high gas prices at the pump for American families, and slash our nation’s oil consumption. With these new standards, auto manufacturers will have to deliver cleaner, more efficient vehicles.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.