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Obama moves to curb car emissions Obama moves to curb car emissions
(20 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has announced tough targets on vehicle pollution and fuel efficiency, to cut emissions 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 cut vehicle emissions by 30% 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 new standards will average fuel consumption for US-made vehicles to 35.5 US miles per gallon. The plan aims to replace overlapping rules on emissions and efficiency set by federal agencies and states.
US carmakers have expressed support for a new nationwide policy. US carmakers and environmental groups have expressed support for the move.
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. Mr Obama 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.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. The president also predicted that a series of lawsuits by car manufacturers over emissions would be dropped as a result of the proposed 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.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.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.
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