Car fuel efficiency and global warming pollution standards are working, a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report shows. The report, which documents the emissions and fuel consumption of vehicles sold in model year 2013 as well as the credits earned towards compliance with the rules, shows auto manufacturers are exceeding the standards set in 2010, leading to savings for consumers.
Below is a statement by Don Anair, research and deputy director of the Clean Vehicles program at UCS.
“Car fuel economy and emissions standards were a major achievement and this new EPA report shows just how well they’re working. The cars that came out in 2013 are emitting 9 percent less carbon pollution than in 2010. Most automakers are not just meeting, but exceeding, the standards. Their investments in new technologies are paying off, and drivers are benefiting.
“The EPA report shows that tailpipe emissions are falling, improvements in air-conditioning technology are happening even faster than expected, and on average, vehicles are a full year ahead of where they need to be to keep up with the standards.
“Compared to 2010 vehicles, 2013 vehicles will save drivers over $100 a year at today’s gas prices, or a total of nearly $17 billion over the lifetime of these vehicles. Today’s cars offer more efficiency even as they’re adding new features and safety technology.
“If we’re going to cut America’s oil use in half over the next 20 years, we need to build on the impressive progress we’ve made. This report serves as a strong indication that manufacturers are well positioned to further reduce emissions and fuel consumption from new vehicles in the years ahead.
“The standards are doing what they’re supposed to do—spurring innovation, saving drivers money on fuel costs and reducing the emissions that cause climate change. As this report shows, we’re heading in the right direction.”