by Wil Mumby, Staff Writer
Californication
The EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be upping national fuel economy standards again in the coming years. In addition to the required 35.5 miles per gallon standard (250 grams of carbon dioxide emitted per mile) set by the Obama administration to be reached in 2016, a new rule has been proposed to continue this trend of improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.
The EPA and NHTSA have released a proposal to improve corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards in 2017-2025 model vehicles. The proposal, which applies to passenger cars and light trucks, is expected to require 40.1 mpg in model year 2021 and 49.6 mpg in model year 2025. EPA greenhouse gas standards are projected to require an emission rate of 163 grams/mile of carbon dioxide for model year 2025. The agencies note that this is the equivalent to 54.5 mpg by 2025, but only if all emissions reductions are made through fuel economy improvements. However, they expect that other changes will be made, such as advanced air conditioning that reduces leakage.
This continuing trend of rising CAFE is expected to work wonders for environmental protection. By gradually increasing fuel economy standards, technology can keep a reasonable pace with the need to reduce emissions, helping cut down on pollution and fight climate change.
But what does this proposal mean for the consumer? In the short-term, the cost of light vehicles is expected to rise as new technology is introduced. Nevertheless, the agencies predict that consumers will save an average of $6,600 on fuel costs over the lifetime of a 2025 model vehicle, about $4,400 net lifetime savings when the cost of vehicles is factored in. In fact, experts predict that this will result in a net gain across the country of over $420 billion from model 2017-2025 vehicles sold.
Furthermore, this new proposal is expected to drastically reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Over the lifetime of vehicles sold in the model year span, there is an estimated savings of 4 billion barrels of oil. Combined with other measures to improve energy efficiency, the U.S. is expected to decrease its dependence on oil by 12 billion barrels by 2025, as well as reduce oil consumption by 2.2 million barrels per day.
According to Small Business Majority founder and CEO, John Arensmeyer, “Small business owners say stronger gas mileage standards will help American automakers innovate, improve efficiency and compete in the global economy.” Thus, the Obama administration hopes that this aggressive fuel economy standard will give an extra kick to the struggling economy, providing that we maintain new vehicle production here in the United States. As long as consumers are educated about the the long-term financial benefits of purchasing these new fuel efficient vehicles, this plan seems set to succeed.
Photo Credit: www.elec-intro.com
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