The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced they are coordinating with the California Air Resources Board to set fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards for model year 2017-2025 cars and light-duty trucks. All three agencies will simultaneously release the proposed rules on Sept. 1, 2011.
It’s nice to see Federal Agencies (EPA, DOT) working with the California state agency (CARB) to create a set of future standards. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has historically set much more stringent emissions standards, when compared to Federal standards. With this announcement, CARB is committing to continue its collaboration with DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and EPA in an effort to establish vehicle emissions and fuel economy standards.
Vehicle manufacturers say they want there to be ONE set of standards for all manufacturers. Multiple standards for multiple states is much tougher for them.
Proposing the new standards on the same time frame is good news for the National Clean Car Program, providing automakers the regulatory certainty they need to invest in new technology as they strive to create the next generation of fuel efficient vehicles. This is also good news for the American public because increased fuel efficiency will save drivers cash at the pump, reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil and reduce vehicle emissions and air pollution.
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Companies surviving the Great Recession are realizing they can no longer ignore the built in inefficiencies within their operations. By improving a fleet’s efficiency, companies can reduce more than 6 million metric tons of carbon pollution each year, as well as save over $2 billion annually. Telematics-enabled fleet management systems can help to significantly reduce a fleet’s operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
In today’s tough economic climate, profit margins are slim and companies must implement as many cost-saving initiatives as possible. In order to stay competitive, companies have to look very closely at every penny spent. Because a GPS fleet tracking system can provide an ROI in less than six months and immediately reduce fuel consumption, plus produce ecological benefits, companies both large and small are utilizing them to create profitable, sustainable fleets.