Last year, as more Americans became aware of the need for conservation and alternative energy, the Obama administration released a set of auto standards that would mandate an increased fuel economy and impose greenhouse gas standards on the nation’s cars and trucks starting with 2012 models.
Currently, California and about a dozen other states have similar laws mandating levels of emissions, so according to President Obama; these new standards will help auto companies’ predictability by removing the uncertainty behind state regulations on auto emission standards.
These changes would place corporate average fuel economy [CAFE] standards to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016. With this increase in fuel efficiency, drivers could save, on average, $2,800, over the lifetime of vehicles sold in the next five years, and 1.8 billion barrels of oil.
CAFE originated in Congress in 1975 with the Energy Policy Conservation Act which nearly doubled new car fuel economy by 1985. While the enforcement of CAFE standards was divided between two distinct government agencies, Obama’s new rule will support greater collaboration between the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation.
While environmentalists have praised these new CAFE standards as the first step towards a greener, less oil dependent country, some have criticized the new rules for being unrealistic. Opponents have argued that the only way auto makers will be able to meet these standards is to either increase the price of each car sold or drastically reduce the size of the cars they produce. Both options, they claim, will reduce the number of options available to buyers.
According to the New York Times, these changes, regardless of their popularity, should improve America’s image of excessive consumption of natural resources. With increasing international scrutiny on America’s environmental policies, these new standards are expected to increase America’s negotiation position at the upcoming United Nations climate conference.
So what are your thoughts? Do you think these sweeping changes on America’s fuel efficiency and emissions standards will change the direction of America’s auto industry?
For more information on how to improve your car’s fuel economy, visit Allstate.com.
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Good info. Seems like gas prices are continuing to sky rocket. Can’t afford a Hybrid yet, but been using
Fuel Doctor’s FD-47 and it’s been a great job so far saving me money. Can’t complain.
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I hope you guys do find suitable fuel saver. Great post
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