The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release 

May 21, 2010 

Presidential Memorandum Regarding Fuel 

Efficiency Standards

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION

THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY

THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION AGENCY

THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY

TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

SUBJECT:Improving Energy Security, American Competitiveness and Job Creation, and 

Environmental Protection through a Transformation of our Nation's Fleet of Cars and Trucks

America has the opportunity to lead the world in the development of a new generation of clean 

cars and trucks through innovative technologies and manufacturing that will spur economic 

growth and create high-quality domestic jobs, enhance our energy security, and improve our 

environment. We already have made significant strides toward reducing greenhouse gas 

pollution and enhancing fuel efficiency from motor vehicles with the joint rulemaking issued by 

the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) on April 1, 2010, which regulates these attributes of passenger cars and light-duty 

trucks for model years 2012-2016. In this memorandum, I request that additional coordinated 

steps be taken to produce a new generation of clean vehicles.

Section 1. Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks.

While the Federal Government and many States have now created a harmonized framework for 

addressing the fuel economy of and greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light-duty trucks, 

medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses continue to be a major source of fossil fuel 

consumption and greenhouse gas pollution. I therefore request that the Administrators of the 

EPA and the NHTSA immediately begin work on a joint rulemaking under the Clean Air Act 

(CAA) and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) to establish fuel 

efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions standards for commercial medium- and heavy-duty

vehicles beginning with model year 2014, with the aim of issuing a final rule by July 30, 2011.

As part of this rule development process, I request that the Administrators of the EPA and the 

NHTSA:
(a) Propose and take comment on strategies, including those designed to increase the use 

of existing technologies, to achieve substantial annual progress in reducing transportation 

sector emissions and fossil fuel consumption consistent with my Administration's overall 

energy and climate security goals. These strategies should consider whether particular 

segments of the diverse heavy-duty vehicle sector present special opportunities to reduce 

greenhouse gas emissions and increase fuel economy. For example, preliminary estimates 

indicate that large tractor trailers, representing half of all greenhouse gas emissions from 

this sector, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 20 percent and increase 

their fuel efficiency by as much as 25 percent with the use of existing technologies;

(b) Include fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions standards that take into account 

the market structure of the trucking industry and the unique demands of heavy-duty

vehicle applications; seek harmonization with applicable State standards; consider the 

findings and recommendations published in the National Academy of Science report on 

medium- and heavy-duty truck regulation; strengthen the industry and enhance job 

creation in the United States; and

(c) Seek input from all stakeholders, while recognizing the continued leadership role of 

California and other States.

Sec. 2. Passenger Cars and Light-Duty Trucks.

Building on the earlier joint rulemaking, and in order to provide greater certainty and incentives 

for long-term innovation by automobile and light-duty vehicle manufacturers, I request that the 

Administrators of the EPA and the NHTSA develop, through notice and comment rulemaking, a 

coordinated national program under the CAA and the EISA to improve fuel efficiency and to 

reduce greenhouse gas emissions of passenger cars and light-duty trucks of model years 2017-

2025. The national program should seek to produce joint Federal standards that are harmonized 

with applicable State standards, with the goal of ensuring that automobile manufacturers will be 

able to build a single, light-duty national fleet. The program should also seek to achieve 

substantial annual progress in reducing transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions and fossil 

fuel consumption, consistent with my Administration's overall energy and climate security goals, 

through the increased domestic production and use of existing, advanced, and emerging 

technologies, and should strengthen the industry and enhance job creation in the United States.

As part of implementing the national program, I request that the Administrators of the EPA and 

the NHTSA:

(a) Work with the State of California to develop by September 1, 2010, a technical 

assessment to inform the rulemaking process, reflecting input from an array of 

stakeholders on relevant factors, including viable technologies, costs, benefits, lead time to 

develop and deploy new and emerging technologies, incentives and other flexibilities to 

encourage development and deployment of new and emerging technologies, impacts on 

jobs and the automotive manufacturing base in the United States, and infrastructure for 

advanced vehicle technologies; and
(b) Take all measures consistent with law to issue by September 30, 2010, a Notice of 

Intent to Issue a Proposed Rule that announces plans for setting stringent fuel economy 

and greenhouse gas emissions standards for light-duty vehicles of model year 2017 and 

beyond, including plans for initiating joint rulemaking and gathering any additional 

information needed to support regulatory action. The Notice should describe the key

elements of the program that the EPA and the NHTSA intend jointly to propose, under 

their respective statutory authorities, including potential standards that could be 

practicably implemented nationally for the 2017-2025 model years and a schedule for 

setting those standards as expeditiously as possible, consistent with providing sufficient 

lead time to vehicle manufacturers.

Sec. 3. Cleaner Vehicles and Fuels and Necessary Infrastructure.

The success of our efforts to achieve enhanced energy security and to protect the environment 

also depends upon the development of infrastructure and promotion of fuels, including biofuels, 

which will enable the development and widespread deployment of advanced technologies.

Therefore, I further request that:

(a) The Administrator of the EPA review for adequacy the current nongreenhouse gas 

emissions regulations for new motor vehicles, new motor vehicle engines, and motor 

vehicle fuels, including tailpipe emissions standards for nitrogen oxides and air toxics, and 

sulfur standards for gasoline. If the Administrator of the EPA finds that new emissions 

regulations are required, then I request that the Administrator of the EPA promulgate such 

regulations as part of a comprehensive approach toward regulating motor vehicles; and

(b) The Secretary of Energy promote the deployment of advanced technology vehicles by

providing technical assistance to cities preparing for deployment of electric vehicles, 

including plug-in hybrids and all electric vehicles; and

(c) The Department of Energy work with stakeholders on the development of voluntary

standards to facilitate the robust deployment of advanced vehicle technologies and 

coordinate its efforts with the Department of Transportation, the NHTSA, and the EPA.

Sec. 4. General Provisions.

(a) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law, including 

international trade obligations, and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(b) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, 

substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United 

States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other 

person.

(c) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(1) authority granted by law to a department, agency, or the head thereof; or
(2) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, 

administrative, or legislative proposals.

Sec. 5. Publication.

The Secretary of Transportation is hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum 

in the Federal Register.

BARACK OBAMA