In August 2012, federal agencies in the United States finalized a new set of standards (known as the ”National Program”) to increase fuel efficiency and cut global warming pollution from the transportation sector.
Supported by automakers, unions, national security groups, and environmentalists, the standards set fuel economy and global warming emission targets, based on vehicle size, for new cars and trucks sold in the United States. The standards increase in stringency every year and come in two phases: 2012-2016 and 2017-2025.
Learn more about the history and many benefits of this program through the following fact sheets and resources.
Cleaner Cars Are Good for Jobs
Time for a U-Turn
Going From Pump to Plug
Fuel Efficiency and Income
State Benefits of Vehicle Efficiency Standards
The Benefits of Clean Car Standards in the Northeast
Tomorrow’s Clean Vehicles, Today
Protecting Consumers from Pain at the Gas Pump
Enacting strong standards is the single most important step toward implementing the UCS Half the Oil Savings Plan, which would cut the country’s projected oil use in half over the next 20 years.
Related resources
The Latest Science on the Global Climate Crisis
State of Charge
Truck Pollution in the United States
