Fuel Efficiency

The Obama administration announced June 19 a proposed rule calling for increased fuel efficiency of and reduced tailpipe emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. This is good news for businesses and consumers, who stand to benefit from significant fuel cost savings. The rule, if passed, would also help the environment through reduced carbon pollution.

On Aug. 16, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finalized new rules that will make medium- and heavy-duty vehicles cleaner and more efficient. The rule will increase the fuel efficiency and reduce tailpipe emissions of tractor-trailers, package delivery vans, transit buses, and other large trucks sold between 2021 and 2027 in an effort to decrease greenhouse gases and improve fuel economy.

The Pew Charitable Trusts commends the Obama administration for issuing today a draft rule to increase the fuel efficiency of, and reduce tailpipe emissions from, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The proposed rule would require vehicles such as tractor-trailers, package delivery vans, transit buses, and other large trucks sold between 2021 and 2027 to meet new greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards.

During the past decade, the United States has made tremendous strides in setting progressive fuel-economy standards for cars and trucks. The resulting benefits include consumer savings at the pump, a decline in the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, and reduced carbon pollution.