President Obama Directs Administration to Create First-Ever National Efficiency and Emissions Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks

.  "The fuel efficient cars and trucks of the future can cut costs for American drivers and shipping companies, while cleaning up the air we breathe.  We’re starting on this today so that we can be the world leaders in clean technology tomorrow."

“We need to seize the momentum following last month’s historic new fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards and President Obama’s announcement today does just that,” said DOT Secretary Ray LaHood.  “By expanding this effort to include medium and heavy-duty trucks and encouraging the development of innovative technologies such as electric cars, we are laying the foundation for a cleaner, greener transportation sector that provides greater environmental benefits, reduces our dependence on oil and encourages American creativity.”

Today’s announcement builds upon the success of the historic new national policy President Obama set in motion one year ago, this week, increasing fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas pollution for new cars and light-duty trucks manufactured in Model Years 2012-2016 and sold in the United States.  The policy represented an unprecedented collaboration between DOT, EPA, the world’s largest auto manufacturers, the United Auto Workers, leaders in the environmental community, the State of California, and other state governments.  Last month, EPA and DOT issued coordinated final rules fulfilling the President’s directive, and these regulations established, for the first time, a harmonized National Program that will save our nation 1.8 billion barrels of oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly one billion metric tons — equivalent to taking 50 million cars off the road — over the lifetime of vehicles sold in Model Years 2012-2016.