Automakers ahead of schedule on fuel efficiency

Automakers have bounced back from hard times in the Great Recession and have met the challenge of making innovative cars, vans, pickups, and SUVs that can go further on a gallon of gas. These advancements save consumers money at the pump, reduce oil consumption, and curb harmful pollution.

Significant progress has come since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) worked with automakers, unions, national security groups, consumers, and environmentalists in 2012 to implement historic fuel efficiency standards. They will effectively double the average fuel economy of new cars and trucks by 2025.

Now the auto industry is seeing record sales while meeting and, in some cases exceeding, the fuel efficiency standards currently in place. The Hill recently reported that cars "hit a new fuel economy record in 2015 while outperforming mandated greenhouse gas emissions limits."

Maintaining strong standards for future vehicles will ensure car manufacturers continue to innovative, creating export opportunities for U.S. companies developing new advanced vehicle technologies.

As EPA and NHTSA enter a review period for these standards, it’s vital they maintain strong fuel efficiency requirements that capitalize on the benefits originally envisioned in 2012. Doing so will ensure that consumers, the economy, and the environment reap the benefits of cleaner and more efficient vehicles.