The Nature Conservancy Applauds New Clean Car Standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a new federal rule that establishes the most ambitious standards ever to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light trucks. The EPA estimates that the rule will avoid more than 3 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of the century.

“To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we must reach net-zero emissions in the United States and around the world by 2050,” said Jason Albritton, director of North America climate and energy policy for The Nature Conservancy. “We can’t do that if we do not significantly reduce emissions from cars and trucks. This bold move to address climate change and drive innovation to advance low-emission and zero-emission vehicles is a critical and necessary step.”

The new rule sets stronger emission standards for cars and light trucks than those that were rolled back by the Trump administration in 2020. Those rollbacks were opposed by the Conservancy and many of the nation’s automakers.

“Cars and trucks are among the most significant contributors to air pollution in the United States,” Albritton said. “For nearly half a century, the EPA’s regulation of tailpipe emissions has been one of the most successful tools to improve the quality of the air we breathe. These standards have prompted innovation by car manufacturers so that cars will drive cleaner and further on less fuel, saving consumers money, reducing harmful air pollution, and helping address climate change through reduced carbon emissions.”