Aggressive CAFE Standards Produce Vehicle Innovation

Aggressive CAFE Standards Produce Vehicle Innovation

Every day, more businesses are transitioning to clean fuels and electric vehicles over oil dependent cars and trucks. As of now this green revolution is by choice of the business, but soon fuel efficiency will be required.

U.S. regulations are changing for the entire transportation industry. Within the next 20 years emissions will be reduced significantly and fuel efficient vehicles will dominate the road.

Last August of 2012, the Federal Government and the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) broke new ground with more aggressive CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards. The standards will boost mileage efficiency for light, medium, and heavy duty trucks, including big-rigs, buses and other vocational vehicles. Newly manufactured cars and light-duty trucks by model year 2025, for example, will be required to achieve 54.5 MPG.

“NHTSA has recently set standards to increase CAFE levels rapidly over the next several years, which will improve our nation’s energy security and save consumers money at the pump.” –NHTSA

Prior standards set for vehicles manufactured between 2011-2016 united with the 2025 standard will reduce fuel costs greatly within the U.S. economy.

New amendments, effective as of this past August 2013, regarding medium to heavy-duty engines and vehicles will eliminate differences in rules set by the EPA and NHTSA.

With clearly set regulations on diesel sulfur levels for medium to heavy-duty trucks and buses, the roads and highways will not just have more environmentally friendly cars, but trucks and buses as well.

Trucking companies already using fuel efficient fleets include:

  • UPS
  • Atlas Van Lines
  • FedEx
  • J.B. Hunt
  • Penske Logistics

Metro is the leader of clean transit fleets in the country. Over 2,000 buses are run on clean compressed natural gas, and the number is growing.

More information regarding medium to heavy-duty vehicle standards is available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website.
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“In total, the Administration’s national program to improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions will save consumers more than $1.7 trillion at the gas pump and reduce U.S. oil consumption by 12 billion barrels.” –The White House<

In 2011, 13 major automakers, as well as California, announced their total support of the upcoming change in standards, which require the auto companies to invest in and apply more contemporary technologies to new vehicles.

“…advances in gasoline engines and transmissions will continue for the foreseeable future, and there will be continual improvement in other technologies, including vehicle weight reduction, lower tire rolling resistance, improvements in vehicle aerodynamics, diesel engines, and more efficient vehicle accessories.” -Federal Register

Along with aiding the U.S. economy, and drastically reducing emission pollution, this shift in emissions standards will provide reliable jobs for Americans in the auto industry.

The new CAFE Standards will bring even more Innovative and Sustainable Vehicles from all of the Auto Companies.

Chevrolet, this past month, revealed the 2015 bi-fuel Chevy Impala. A longtime favorite among individuals, and business / government fleets, the Impala will house a new cutting edge engine that can run on both gasoline, and compressed natural gas. The Impala also has an “End-of-Life Recyclability”.

“After the vehicle’s useful life, 85% of it is recyclable. The majority of its components can be broken down and recycled, which conserves resources and reduces landfill deposits.” –Chevrolet

The Obama Administration has additionally created tax incentives for companies and individuals to purchase green cars and trucks.

To learn more about these tax incentives and green vehicles refer to: Benefits of Green Fuels: The Day Dollars and Trees Live in Harmony

The changes in CAFE regulations is one of the first of many steps all Americans will take to reduce fossil fuel usage and secure the health of the planet.

The combined efforts of the Federal Government, auto manufacturers, businesses, and consumers will provide a future that is environmentally stable, and financially sound.