Foundation News

On August 28, 2012, the Obama Administration announced new standards for cars and light trucks that will double the fuel economy of our cars and light trucks by 2025 and reduce total U.S. greenhouse gas pollution by around 10 percent. “These fuel standards represent the single most important step we’ve ever taken to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” President Obama said in a statement.

Benefits of Vehicle Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Standards

• By 2030, both rounds of vehicle standards will cut oil use by 3.1 million barrels per day. That’s the amount of oil we currently import from the Persian Gulf and Venezuela combined.

• In 2030, new standards will reduce climate disrupting pollution by 570 million metric tons – nearly 10% of current US carbon pollution.

• Consumers will save $8,000 over the lifetime of a vehicle sold in 2025 compared to the average vehicle on the road today.

These new vehicle efficiency and pollution standards don’t just turn climate disruption around—they create jobs and put money in Americans’ pockets. According to a study by labor and environmental groups in the Blue Green Alliance, the new standards will result in 570,000 new jobs across America. 

For decades the Sierra Club has been leading the charge on improving fuel efficiency in the U.S. We've partnered with other environmental organizations as well as charted new territory in reaching out to labor and business groups to enlist their help. We voiced our support for new standards in January along with veterans, health professionals, small business owners and concerned citizens at public hearings held around the country. The Obama Administration heard us and is delivering strong fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards that Americans strongly support. It feels great to share this good news. A win for the economy, public health, and the planet is something to celebrate.