Fuel efficiency importance is at an all time high in the automotive industry. With increasingly more sophisticated technology and an environment crisis, the race is on for rapid change. Despite the advances already made, it is still not enough to make a difference in the environmental impact the CO2 emissions are causing. The environmental protection agency is working closely with the Obama administration to create a set of guideline that will be enforced in the next few years to require cars to be more efficient.
Cars manufactured between 2017 and 2025 are going to have to follow a strict set of regulations for fuel efficiency and carbon-pollution limits. Many of theses changes are not only good for the environment but they will create jobs, save people money, and reduce oil consumption. Many U.S companies are trying to produce vehicles that are comparable to foreign models. While the oil and gas prices are expected to increase due to supply concerns, a reduction of dependance on such is mandatory.
The Obama administration has taken a few important steps to help move along the process. The new standards being put in place are suppose to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 1 billion metric tons. Fuel costs are also suppose to be but by $170 billion and reduce oil consumption by up to 1.8 billion barrels. While making serious changes, the United States is also working with other countries encouraging the same progress and standards.
With the new reforms and standards electric/hybrid cars are becoming the focus. Hybrid cars sales have gone up 84% and electrics car sales up 241%. This increase in demand of alternative fuel cars is helpful in the supply and demand of a better vehicle. The consumption will help encourage the further development of this product.
By the year 2025 fuel efficiency is required to be at 54.5 mpg. This is predicted to cut 580 million metric tons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere by 2025. While the highest fuel efficiency is currently 28.1 mpg, this standard is going to be dramatically better for the environment.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2015/hd-trucks-phase-2-standards
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/10/09/3577925/average-us-fuel-economy-hits-record-high/