The new standards alongside the ones put in place earlier are expected to double the fuel efficiency f or cars and light-duty trucks by Model Year 2025, compared to vehicles currently on the roads.
Consumers stand to save an expected $1.7t in fuel cost while reducing the nation’s oil consumption by 12 billion barrels.
US President Barrack Obama termed the new standards, the single most important step to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood added, "Simply put, this groundbreaking program will result in vehicles that use less gas, travel farther, and provide more efficiency for consumers than ever before — all while protecting the air we breathe and giving automakers the regulatory certainty to build the cars of the future here in America."
The US Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved standards will help reduce carbon emissions by 6 billion metric tons over the life of the program.
EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson remarked that the standards exemplify the government’s resolve to protect the environment while strengthening the economy.
