The Environmental Protection Agency is finalizing what it called “the most ambitious federal greenhouse gas emissions standards” ever. The standards are for passenger cars and light trucks for Model Years 2023 through 2026.
The EPA said in a press release the new standards will help “reduce climate pollution, improve public health, and save drivers money at the pump.”
“The final rule for light-duty vehicles reflect core principles of this Administration: We followed the science, we listened to stakeholders, and we are setting robust and rigorous standards that will aggressively reduce the pollution that is harming people and our planet – and save families money at the same time,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in the release. “At EPA, our priority is to protect public health, especially in overburdened communities, while responding to the President’s ambitious climate agenda. Today we take a giant step forward in delivering on those goals, while paving the way toward an all-electric, zero-emissions transportation future.”
EPA’s final standards through 2050 will result in avoiding more than 3 billion tons of GHG emissions which is equivalent to more than half the total U.S. CO2 emissions in 2019, according to the release. American drivers will save between $210 billion and $420 billion through 2050 on fuel costs. On average, over the lifetime of an individual MY 2026 vehicle, EPA estimates that the fuel savings will exceed the initial increase in vehicle costs by more than $1,000 for consumers.
Car and Driver reported that the EPA technically regulates the emissions of vehicles and therefore does not require a certain mile per gallon amount. Still, a noticeable result of the new rules will be the MPG of new vehicles, which could increase to an average of about 40 in 2026. Car and Driver also noted that not every vehicle needs to meet the new standard, which applies to entire fleets of vehicles. This means vehicles, such as pickup trucks, with lower MPG ratings will continue to be manufactured. However, car companies will look to increase the proportion of fuel-efficient and electric vehicles that they manufacture and sell.
Regan has signed the rule and the agency has submitted it to be published in the Federal Register, where it will go into effect 60 days after being posted.
