EPA reports show manufacturers meeting GHG emissions standards, record highs in fuel efficiency

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released two reports this week that show American manufacturers have more than met the 2014 standards for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while fuel economy that same year remained at the highest level ever recorded.

The two reports, “Greenhouse Gas Manufacturer Performance Report” and “Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975-2015,” show promising progress towards GHG emission reductions.

“For the third year in a row, manufacturers have exceeded the GHG emissions standards by a wide margin,”  EPA Director of the Office of Air Quality and Transportation Christopher Grundler said. “It’s clear that our standards are working, spurring technology and innovation, and we are on track to achieve significant greenhouse gas reductions."

According to EPA estimates, 2014 saw GHG emissions drop by the annual electrical usage of more than 8 million homes, or approximately 60 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). The Fuel Economy Trends report showed overall fuel efficiency remained the high levels set in previous years and that truck fuel economy reached an average of 20.4 mpg, which is a record high. The report also notes industry adoption of technologies like turbocharging and advanced transmissions that will promote better fuel efficiency.