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Obama moves to curb car emissions Obama moves to curb car emissions
(about 2 hours later)
US President Barack Obama has announced tough targets for new fuel-efficient vehicles in order to cut pollution and lower dependence on oil imports.US President Barack Obama has announced tough targets for new fuel-efficient vehicles in order to cut pollution and lower dependence on oil imports.
Describing the move as "historic", Mr Obama said the country's first-ever national standards would reduce vehicle emissions by about a third by 2016.Describing the move as "historic", Mr Obama said the country's first-ever national standards would reduce vehicle emissions by about a third by 2016.
The plan aims to replace overlapping rules on emissions and efficiency set by federal agencies and states.The plan aims to replace overlapping rules on emissions and efficiency set by federal agencies and states.
US carmakers and environmental groups have expressed support for the move.US carmakers and environmental groups have expressed support for the move.
See how new fuel effiency targets compareSee how new fuel effiency targets compare
Under the proposed standards, manufacturers must reach an average of 39 miles per gallon for passenger cars by 2016, and 30 miles per gallon for light lorries.Under the proposed standards, manufacturers must reach an average of 39 miles per gallon for passenger cars by 2016, and 30 miles per gallon for light lorries.
Announcing the plan at the White House, Mr Obama said the status quo was "no longer acceptable" and led to dependence on oil exporting countries and climate change.Announcing the plan at the White House, Mr Obama said the status quo was "no longer acceptable" and led to dependence on oil exporting countries and climate change.
EMISSION CUTS PLAN A 30% reduction by 2016The cuts are equal to taking 177m cars off the road Price of cars may rise by $1,300EMISSION CUTS PLAN A 30% reduction by 2016The cuts are equal to taking 177m cars off the road Price of cars may rise by $1,300
The new standards are expected to raise the price of new vehicles by about $1,300 (£839) per vehicle by 2016.The new standards are expected to raise the price of new vehicles by about $1,300 (£839) per vehicle by 2016.
But the president said this would be offset by lower fuel cost within three years.But the president said this would be offset by lower fuel cost within three years.
The US is the biggest car market with more than 250 million cars and light lorries on the road.The US is the biggest car market with more than 250 million cars and light lorries on the road.
The proposed nationwide standard for exhaust emissions is expected to cut the amount of carbon dioxide produced by new passenger vehicles by 34%.The proposed nationwide standard for exhaust emissions is expected to cut the amount of carbon dioxide produced by new passenger vehicles by 34%.
SavingsSavings
The Safe Climate Campaign, an environmental group, welcomed the plan saying it was "major signal" that the US was serious about curbing greenhouse gas emissions.The Safe Climate Campaign, an environmental group, welcomed the plan saying it was "major signal" that the US was serious about curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
Carmakers are also hailing a single nationwide standard, after years court battles to stop California and other states setting their own tough pollution controls.Carmakers are also hailing a single nationwide standard, after years court battles to stop California and other states setting their own tough pollution controls.
California had been pushing for stricter emissions standardsCalifornia had been pushing for stricter emissions standards
"GM and the auto industry benefit by having more consistency and certainty to guide our product plans," GM Chief Executive Fritz Henderson said in a statement."GM and the auto industry benefit by having more consistency and certainty to guide our product plans," GM Chief Executive Fritz Henderson said in a statement.
Mr Obama predicted that the lawsuits would be dropped as a result of the proposed regulation.Mr Obama predicted that the lawsuits would be dropped as a result of the proposed regulation.
The president said: "As a result of this agreement we will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the vehicles sold in the next five years."The president said: "As a result of this agreement we will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the vehicles sold in the next five years."
He said this amounted to removing 177 million cars from the roads by 2016.He said this amounted to removing 177 million cars from the roads by 2016.
In that period, the savings in oil will amount to last year's combined US imports from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Libya and Nigeria, Mr Obama added.In that period, the savings in oil will amount to last year's combined US imports from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Libya and Nigeria, Mr Obama added.
BBC environment correspondent Richard Black says the plan should act as an incentive for US carmakers to increase fuel efficiency towards European and Asian levels.BBC environment correspondent Richard Black says the plan should act as an incentive for US carmakers to increase fuel efficiency towards European and Asian levels.
The proposed regulation needs the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency and the transportation department.The proposed regulation needs the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency and the transportation department.
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