WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Obama Administration yesterday brokered what has been called a "historic" agreement to increase the fuel efficiency of new vehicles to 35.5 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2016. The agreement will bring the U.S. to the planned standard four years earlier than previously expected. 
Commenting on the announcement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "Today’s announcement builds on Congress’ increase of fuel efficiency standards two years ago, speeds us toward meeting the goal of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2020, and establishes the first-ever national standard for global warming pollution from cars and trucks. These efforts will save consumers money at the pump, strengthen our national security by making America more energy independent, and cut global warming pollution that is causing a climate crisis."
The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) praised President Barack Obama for his plan to create a single national standard for vehicle fuel economy and emissions standards. The announcement brings together the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation, California and 14 other states in a single regulatory program that will provide certainty to the automotive industry through 2016.
“A national standard will avoid a ‘patchwork’ of several conflicting standards at the federal and state level,” said Bob McKenna, MEMA president and CEO. “The president has shown the necessary leadership to bring together the federal and state regulatory bodies under one national standard to meet the goals of improved fuel efficiency and reduced vehicle emissions.”
McKenna added, “The supplier industry is committed to policies that enable the introduction of new technologies necessary to support sustainable mobility and cleaner, more fuel efficient cars and trucks. The interconnectedness of the motor vehicle industry necessitates the need for consistent policies, regulations and standards so that all stakeholders can more effectively incorporate more ‘green’ technologies into the nation’s fleet.”
The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) also said it fully supports the effort announced by President Obama to harness the expertise of the auto industry, environmentalists, federal agencies and state elected officials to harmonize more stringent greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) standards for motor vehicles by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with California’s GHG standards and the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) new CAFE standards into a single national program.
"This new agreement will go a long way toward preserving the widest possible range of consumer choice in new vehicle purchases, allow sufficient lead time for manufacturers to thoroughly engineer and test next-generation technologies before they are launched to the public, and provide a sufficient degree of flexibility to mitigate costs in very capital-intensive new vehicle development," said Michael Stanton, president and CEO of AIAM. "We would especially like to thank the President for all he’s done to bring the parties together today for this breakthrough announcement. This is a critically important step in moving our industry forward while protecting the environment and reducing our nation’s reliance on fossil fuels."
