Washington, D.C. – Today, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized clean car standards for light-duty vehicles manufactured between 2023 and 2026. The finalized rule will improve fuel economy, save consumers money, protect Americans’ health, and curb greenhouse gas emissions. This rule substantially strengthened the EPA’s earlier proposal, increasing the benefits consumers will reap as more fuel-efficient vehicles enter the market.
“Clearly, the EPA listened to consumer, health and environmental advocacy groups who called for stronger federal clean car standards, after the previous administration rolled back the widely agreed upon 2011 standards. We are no longer stuck in reverse. However, looking forward, the EPA and NHTSA must make up for lost time and savings with the next set of standards in order to maintain a strong, competitive automotive sector after 2026. Strong clean car standards will spur the economy and grow the electric vehicle market. In fact, ambitious clean car standards are central to the Administration’s stated promises to make bold investments in climate improvements, job creation, economic equity and vehicle electrification,” said Dr. Mark Cooper, CFA’s Director of Research and principal author of the CFA report: Trump’s $2 Trillion Mistake: The War On Energy Efficiency.
“Thankfully, the Administration’s reversal of Trump’s rollback of clean car standards will save financially strapped Americans money, increase the availability of electric vehicles, provide good-paying jobs, and move us toward cleaner air,” said Jack Gillis, CFA’s Executive Director. “Our surveys over the past decade show that consumers overwhelmingly want more energy efficient vehicles and strongly support stronger Federal standards. In addition, they understand that gas prices will continue to be volatile, especially today as they pay more than a dollar more[1] than last year for a gallon of gas. Rigorous future standards will be critical to protecting consumer pocketbooks and continuing an aggressive effort to address climate change.”
[1] https://gasprices.aaa.com/
Contact: Jack Gillis, 202-939-1018