- President Obama has directed the EPA and the Department of Transportation to prepare the first-ever fuel economy and emissions standards for medium-and heavy-duty trucks.
- The rules would go into effect at the start of the 2014 model year.
WASHINGTON — Saying that the federal government wants to lay the groundwork for a "more secure energy future," President Barack Obama on Friday directed the EPA and Department of Transportation to prepare the first-ever fuel economy and emissions standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The rules would go into effect at the start of the 2014 model year.
"Currently trucks consume more than 2 million barrels of oil every day and average 6.1 miles per gallon," said the White House in a statement. "They also emit 20 percent of greenhouse gas pollution related to transportation. Preliminary estimates indicate great potential for significant fuel-efficiency gains and greenhouse gas emissions reductions for large tractor trailers."
Obama also wants an extension of the national program for cars and light-duty trucks to model-year 2017 and beyond, the statement said. The U.S. government's most recent standards require automakers to boost fuel economy to an average of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016 from 26.4 miles per gallon last year.
Obama asks the Department of Energy to "provide increased support for deployment of advanced vehicles, including electric vehicles."
Inside Line says: Obama intends to increase the fuel-efficiency of all vehicles on the road, which presumably would jump-start the development of greener vehicles. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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rayzor says:
10:24 PM, 05/24/2010
It's about damn time! It may already be too late for this earth!