Udall Says New Fuel Efficiency Standards Will Save Coloradans Money, Improve Air Quality and Bolster U.S. Energy Security

Press Release

Mark Udall welcomed President Obama and the U.S. Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency's announcement today of higher fuel efficiency requirements for U.S. automakers. The new standard for corporate average fuel economy will increase the industry standard for the fuel efficiency of cars and light trucks to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.

"Consumers get it: higher-mileage cars save money, make our air cleaner and reduce our dependence on oil," Udall said. "The fuel economy standards announced today will help reduce costs for Colorado families while keeping the U.S. auto industry on the cutting edge of producing highly efficient and affordable cars."

The new standard is expected to save American families more than $1.7 trillion in fuel costs, resulting in an average fuel savings of more than $8,000 by 2025 over the lifetime of the vehicle. The standard also is expected to cut more than 6 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the span of the program.

Udall has supported increasing the corporate average fuel economy standard, including signing a bipartisan letter in February to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson.

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