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Obama moves to curb car emissions Obama moves to curb car emissions
(30 minutes later)
President Barack Obama has announced limits on vehicle emissions that will set national standards for cars and lorries in the US for the first time. US President Barack Obama has announced tough targets on vehicle pollution and fuel efficiency, to cut emissions and lower dependence on oil imports.
The rules aim to cut emissions by 30% and set fuel efficiency targets of 35.5 miles per US gallon by 2016. Describing the move as "historic", Mr Obama said the country's first-ever national standards would cut vehicle emissions by 30% by 2016.
The plan will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil by 2016 and be equivalent to taking 177 million cars off the road, White House officials said. The new standards will average fuel consumption for US-made vehicles to 35.5 US miles per gallon.
The cost of new vehicles is expected to rise by at least $1,300 (£842) by 2016. US carmakers have expressed support for a new nationwide policy.
Announcing the new national standard, Mr Obama said it would replace overlapping rules on pollution and emissions set by various federal agencies and various states. Announcing the plan, Mr Obama said it would replace overlapping rules on pollution and emissions set by various federal agencies and various states.
See how new fuel effiency targets compareSee how new fuel effiency targets compare
He said the move would provide clear rules for the industry and improve fuel efficiency. He said the move would provide clear rules for the industry.
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.
Mr Obama said the status quo was "no longer acceptable" and led to dependence on oil exporting countries and climate change.Mr Obama said the status quo was "no longer acceptable" and led to dependence on oil exporting countries and climate change.
The president also predicted that a series of lawsuits over car emissions would be dropped as a result of the new regulation.
'More consistency''More consistency'
The BBC's Jonathan Beale, in Washington, says President Obama has made tackling climate change a priority.The BBC's Jonathan Beale, in Washington, says President Obama has made tackling climate change a priority.
EMISSION CUTS PLAN A 30% reduction by 2016The cuts are equal to closing 190 coal-fired plants, or taking 177m cars off the roadPrice of cars may rise by $1,300EMISSION CUTS PLAN A 30% reduction by 2016The cuts are equal to closing 190 coal-fired plants, or taking 177m cars off the roadPrice of cars may rise by $1,300
Until now it was only a few individual states, like California, that had been battling to cut greenhouse gas emissions, our correspondent says.Until now it was only a few individual states, like California, that had been battling to cut greenhouse gas emissions, our correspondent says.
The US car industry had also resisted change. But, facing tougher times and having to rely on government aid, it is now backing the new national standards. The US car industry had also resisted change.
But, facing tougher times and having to rely on government aid, it is now backing the new national 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's plan would still need the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency and the transportation department.Mr Obama's plan would still need the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency and the transportation department.
The new measures would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 900 million metric tonnes, the equivalent of closing 190 coal-fired plants, officials said.The new measures would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 900 million metric tonnes, the equivalent of closing 190 coal-fired plants, officials said.
The increase in mileage is to be introduced gradually, and is expected to add $1,300 to the cost of a vehicle by the time it is fully implemented in 2016.The increase in mileage is to be introduced gradually, and is expected to add $1,300 to the cost of a vehicle by the time it is fully implemented in 2016.
The measures would begin to take effect in 2012.The measures would begin to take effect in 2012.
Most passenger cars would eventually be required to run at 39 miles per gallon, and light lorries at 30 miles per gallon.
The average mileage for 2009 models in the US is 25 miles per gallon.
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