However, for the past six years, Congress has put a rider on the Department of Transportation's budget that prevents the agency from updating the standards that mandate average fuel efficiency. As a result, the average mileage of new passenger vehicles is at its lowest point since 1980, and falling. The U.S. PIRG report analyzes the additional monetary and environmental costs that low fuel efficiency standards add to each model year 2000 car and truck. We might as well just throw cash down the gas tank. The report maintains that, by nearly doubling oil use for passenger vehicles, outdated standards increase air pollution and emissions of greenhouse gasses that cause global warming.
Transportation accounts for a third of U.S. global warming pollution.
The ten hottest years ever recorded have all occurred since 1980, and scientists have reached a virtual consensus that global warming is already happening. Outdated fuel efficiency standards increase the average passenger vehicle's global warming emissions by more than 100,000 pounds of CO2 equivalent. The average car will emit more than 90,000 extra pounds, while the average SUV, minivan, or pickup will emit more than 125,000 extra pounds. Updating the standards would reduce total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1.5 trillion pounds a year. Congress should allow the Department of Transportation to set one standard of 45 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks.