Two reports released on November 2nd by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that, despite automaker complaints that emission standards are too difficult to reach, passenger vehicles achieved record-high fuel economy while outperforming greenhouse gas emission standards (CAFE standards) in model year 2015.
According to the 2016 CO2 and Fuel Economy Trends Report, model year 2015 vehicles’ fuel economy increased by 0.5 mpg to a record 24.8 mpg, with improvements across all vehicle types – including passenger cars, SUVs, vans and minivans, and light-duty pickup trucks. All large manufacturers have exceeded the standards through model year 2015.
In response, Sierra Club Associate Director for Federal Advocacy Andrew Linhardt released the following statement:
“If automakers are beating current vehicle emissions standards, why are they trying so hard to fight them? In 2012, automakers stood with President Obama as he signed critical fuel efficiency safeguards into action. Now claiming the standards are unrealistic, automakers are trying to pump the brakes on climate progress. But with automakers currently exceeding the standards, it’s easy to see the safeguards are reachable and working — our cars are cleaner and more efficient than ever before.
“Now is not the time for automakers to backpedal on climate protections. We need to use this momentum to strengthen existing fuel efficiency safeguards and eliminate pollution loopholes to create even cleaner cars. Our communities and our climate depend on it.”
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