EPA Finalizes Light-Duty Vehicle Standards
Yesterday, in another step forward in protecting the public from air and climate pollution, the EPA finalized new clean car standards for vehicle model years 2026 through 2032. The EVA is pleased that EPA and the Biden administration are continuing their work to cut pollution from the transportation sector.
These new multi-pollutant tailpipe emissions standards are projected to prevent 7.2 billion tons of greenhouse gas pollution from being emitted into the atmosphere — the largest gross reduction of climate emissions by any one rule in American history! By promoting efficient vehicles, the new standards will save American consumers a total of $62 billion dollars in aggregated fueling and repair costs by 2055. Over its lifetime, a 2032 vehicle that is compliant with the new standards will save $6,000 on fuel and maintenance costs compared to a car in 2026. Over the past five decades, adopting clean car standards has been one of the most significant actions the U.S. has taken to reduce its reliance on oil and save drivers money at the pump, according to a 2022 analysis by NRDC.
Health-harming particle pollutants from car exhaust will also be drastically cut by 95%, averting thousands of premature deaths, and creating $13 billion in annual public health benefits. The transportation sector accounts for approximately 45% of NOx emissions in the U.S.; tailpipe pollution contains toxic and harmful compounds that pollute air quality and harm public health. As the new standards reach peak strength, they will achieve a 58-70% reduction in NOx emissions from MDVs compared to the current standard. Exposure to air pollution can lead to health problems including increased risk of asthma attacks, strokes, heart attacks, cancer, and premature deaths.
To summarize, the new cleaner car standards will have:
7.2 BILLION metric tons of emission reduction by 2055 (largest emission reduction by any administration in U.S. history)!
Up to 2500 premature deaths avoided in calendar year 2055
$13 BILLION in annual public health benefits
$6,000 average consumer savings for a 2032 vehicle compared to a 2026 vehicle over the lifetime of the car
14 BILLION barrels of oil imports avoided through reduced oil consumption
$62 BILLION dollars in benefits in fuel costs and repairs
$99 BILLION in annualized net benefits
Read the entire rule press release here