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Motor Vehicle Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards Proposed

On September 28, 2009 (74 FR 49454-49789), EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a joint proposal to establish motor vehicle fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards. The joint proposal covers passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles built in model years 2012 through 2016. The vehicles covered by the September 28, 2009 proposed rule represent almost 60% of all U.S. transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

EPA expects that the September 28, 2009 proposed rule would result in a fleet-wide carbon dioxide (CO2) emission rate of 250 grams per mile (g/mi) in the 2016 model year. The NHTSA projects that, under the proposed rule, national fleet-wide fuel economy for passenger cars and light-duty trucks would be 32.7 miles per gallon (mpg) in the 2016 model year.

The two agencies estimate that the average cost of a model year 2016 vehicle would increase by $1,100 due to the proposed standards. U.S. consumers who purchase model year 2016 vehicles would realize sufficient fuel cost savings over the first three years to offset the higher vehicle costs. Over the lifetime of a model 2016 vehicle, consumers would save more than $3,000 due to fuel savings. In addition, the average model year 2016 vehicle's CO2 emissions would be reduced by 16 metric tons during its lifetime.

The September 28, 2009 proposed rule would affect 40 CFR Parts 86 and 600, and 49 CFR Parts 531, 533, 537, and 538.

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